Dexter Blackstock is backing Saints to return to the Premiership this season - but is determined to help QPR complete a rare league double against his former club.

Blackstock has scored eight goals in 25 appearances since completing his £500,000 move to QPR in the summer, including a diving header to equalise in a 2-1 win against Saints at St Mary's in October.

That remains the only home defeat suffered by Saints all season and Blackstock is determined to help complete back-to-back wins against his former teammates at Loftus Road today to help fifth-from-bottom QPR pull away from the relegation zone.

He also believes that Saints will finish the season in the top six.

The 20-year-old said: "We're both looking for points for different reasons but I think we need the points more because of the position we're in at the moment.

"Regardless of what happens in this match I still think Southampton will finish the season in the play-offs."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.