George Burley has not ruled out either Jermaine Wright or Darren Powell for Saints' second leg play-off semi-final clash with Derby.

Both of the experienced men will not be fit in time for the first leg at St Mary's on Saturday after hernia and knee operations respectively.

But they are making swift recoveries and could provide a welcome boost for the all-important decider at Pride Park.

Burley said: "Jermaine Wright had his hernia operation in Germany and he'll be starting light training this week.

"The reason he went there was because they specialise in hernia operations and said ten days after he could be fit.

"So we haven't ruled him out of the away game at Derby.

"He'll be pushing on this week and we'll see how it goes.

"The same goes with Darren Powell.

"His injury was not as bad as first feared, so we'll be pushing him on. We haven't ruled him out of the away leg.

"Everybody else is fine - one or two kicks but nothing major."

If Powell were to return for the second leg, it would give Burley another option at centre half in the absence of luckless skipper Claus Lundekvam.

Currently only Chris Baird and Pele are natural choices and the latter's inclusion there moves him out of central midfield, an area Wright has made his own this season.

On-loan striker Marek Saganowski is also making further strides towards proving his fitness ahead of the weekend.

And the man who scored ten goals in ten Championship games before tearing his groin would also be a welcome return.

"Marek is progressing well," said Burley.

"He's had no set-backs and has been doing some work with the physio and kicking balls.

"If everything goes well, he'll be back in the squad.

"Marek hasn't joined in yet so it's still early days at the minute, but fingers crossed he keeps progressing day-by-day because it would be nice to have him back in the squad."