AUSSIE-based footballer Joe Keenan is dreaming of a return to his home city to play for Saints.

The former Chelsea midfielder played at St Mary's when England Under-20s visited in 2001.

After failing to make the grade at Stamford Bridge, he had a short spell with Brentford before moving to Dutch club Willem.

Last summer he signed for Melbourne, but has so far failed to impress.

"I would love to play for Southampton in the future," said Keenan, whose family still live in the Shirley area of the city.

"I grew up going to the school on the opposite side of the road to the Old Dell.

"In those days all I wanted to do was to play for Southampton, and that doesn't change when you move away.

"Rodney Wallace was my hero as a kid.

"In those days Southampton were a small First Division side always trying to fight against relegation but now they've got the stadium at Saint Mary's and facilities to be a top Premiership side.

"I don't really know anyone at the club now because the players I knew, like Brian Howard, I have moved on to other clubs or are playing in lower leagues.

"I am only 25 and I always wanted to travel so I used football to do that.

"I've now played in four or five leagues around the world.

"But what I really want to do is to establish myself at one club and stay in the first team for a couple of year as I approach the peak years of my career."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.