KEN MONKOU is preparing to hear whether he will be playing for or against Saints next season as he sits down for contract talks tonight with chairman Rupert Lowe.

The popular Dutch defender is now a free agent under the Bosman ruling which means he is entitled to a free transfer if he cannot agree terms at The Dell.

Everton and newly-promoted Bradford are among the clubs said to be waiting to pounce if Monkou decides to leave after seven seasons with Southampton.

Monkou, who took a paycut to join Saints from Chelsea in August 1992, would dearly love to stay but at 34 he knows this is likely to be his last major contract and it has to be right.

He said: "I really want to stay with Southampton. The fans know I am red and white through and through but it depends what the club offer. I am not asking for the earth but I do think I deserve a fair deal."

Saints boss Dave Jones said: "We now have to sit down and see what Ken wants. He is in the driving seat as he is a free agent now.

"He wanted to wait until the end of the season and he is a Bosman free now so the ball is in his court. It is up to him to name a figure and we will negotiate from there."

Jones is also ready to offer a new contract to striker Steve Basham who has scored ten goals in 15 games on loan for Preston.

And Saints have handed a one-year deal to six foot seven first-year professional goalkeeper Scott Bevan while reserve defender Chris Collins has been given three months from the start of next season to prove himself.

Tomorrow night's Pink gives Saints fans the chance to win the shirts of Matthew Oakley, Patrick Colleter and Wayne Bridge in a fun competition.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.