Claus Lundekvam is hoping to return against Burnley tomorrow - with the help of a Phantom of the Opera-style face mask.

The Saints captain first wore a protective mask in the Premiership after fracturing a cheekbone against Middlesbrough in October 2000.

And after an operation to repair the depressed fracture he suffered to the same cheekbone against Sheffield Wednesday last month, he will wear a protective mask when he returns to Championship action after a two-week break at St Mary's.

Manager George Burley said: "Claus has had the operation, has trained and the specialist says he can wear protection so we're certainly not writing him off.

"It's all down to how he feels. The operation was a success, it's healed and it's just a case of whether he'll be comfortable wearing that protection which he needs to play".

Saints were today saying goodbye to Tim Manns who leaves his job as station director at The Saint to join Channel 103fm in Jersey.

Full story, and two pages of Saints v Burnley previews, in today's Daily Echo.