SAINTS will make the final call on whether Chris Lucketti plays in this Sunday's final day clash against Sheffield United.

The experienced defender is on loan from the Blades and his deal takes in Sunday's game at St Mary's on which Saints' Championship future hangs.

With Kevin Blackwell's men needing a win against Saints to stand a chance of sneaking into the play-offs Lucketti's participation has been the subject of some debate.

It could obviously put the player in a difficult position and under massive pressure if he makes a mistake that proves decisive either way.

Football League rules are different to those in the top flight and under the agreement signed when Lucketti joined Saints he is eligible to play on Sunday and United cannot prevent him, nor do they have a recall option on his loan.

However, it is a difficult decision for Lucketti and Saints boss Nigel Pearson to have to take ahead of the vital game.

Lucketti's importance to Saints has been underlined by statistics produced by the Daily Echo today.

They show that the centre half pairing between Lucketti and his fellow loan defender Chris Perry - the 16th pairing of the season used in those positions by Saints - has been the most consistently frugal over a period of games so far this season.

In their four games together they have seen just three goals conceded at an average of 0.75 goals per game.

That compares favourably with other pairings and the only two pairs to beat that only started one match together.

Perry and Lucketti are incredibly the 16th centre half pairing Saints have used in league games this season.

It goes to show just what a problem area it has been for the club in terms of form and particularly availability.

Both George Burley and Nigel Pearson have been beset by injury problems that have included Claus Lundekvam being sidelined for the whole campaign, Chris Makin for most of it, Darren Powell frequently as well and most recently Andrew Davies whose fractured cheekbone has meant he hasn't been able to play in Saints' final nine games of the season.

If Lucketti deosn't play then it looks set to be a straight choice between Powell and Wayne Thomas to partner Perry, something Thomas, who would be likely to get the nod, has done before when Saints went down 1-0 at Cardiff.

Full story in today's Daily Echo