MARIO LICKA still faces an uncertain future at Saints - but admits he would have walked away from the club in the summer had there not been a change in manager.

Though Licka, left, was signed by George Burley back in the summer of 2006, the Czech midfielder managed just a handful of games in his 18 months under the now Scotland manager.

The routine of training hard allweek and not playing at the weekend was wearing Licka down.

But new boss Nigel Pearson has given him a lifeline and made Licka a first team regular.

The Czech is one of many Saints players out of contract in the summer and, with the club's off-the-field direction still in the balance, he will be waiting like the others to hear whether he can be offered a new deal. However, he would probably now accept a new contract, something that wouldn't have been the case just a couple of months ago.

He said: "It was really hard and frustrating because I was training like every other guy and you knew Saturday was coming and you'd be in the stands. I was working hard and trying but never got the results.

"I never got an explanation. I think the manager chose other players and that's all.

"It's a nice feeling to be training like the other guys and you get the result.

"I was given my chance and I'm playing and that's perfect for me.

"I'm not really thinking about the end of the season now.

"The most important thing for me, with games left, is to make us safe so Southampton play in the Championship next season.

"I have thewhole summer to think about this kind of thing.

"I have always been happy in Southampton - the only thing I missed was playing football and that was why I'm here so it was bad for me.

"A new manager has come in and if I stay it's because of him because I'm playing.

"For sure if a new manager hadn't come and George Burley was still here I was leaving in the summer."

As Licka has played more and more games his performance levels have improved and for the first time in a while he is really starting to believe in himself again.

"You need to be strong in your head, in your mind," he said. You can ask any player - if you don't play for one month it's frustrating so imagine one year, it's not easy.

"I think every player needs a little bit of confidence and at least three, four, five games in a row.

"If you play just one game then you sit on the bench for two or three games it's not good for you as a player.

"You need consecutive games and some consistency.

"I have played eight or nine games now and feel better.

"I have more belief inmyself and I feel more confident.

"I hope the fans haven't seen everything yet. I think it's going to come - I hope so."