RETIRED cult hero Marian Pahars has backed his former side Saints to battle through their tough predicament and steer themselves clear of the relegation zone this season.

Saints sit bottom of the Premier League table with ten games left to play but the gap to safety remains at just two points with as many as nine teams in contention for the drop.

There is reason for optimism around St Mary's following the appointment of Ruben Selles as manager with Saints collecting eight crucial points since the Spaniard took over.

The last of those points came in a thrilling revival against Spurs as Saints rallied from two goals down to snatch a late draw.

Pahars, who scored 45 goals on English soil, was part of multiple successful survival bids before suffering relegation with Saints in 2005.

But speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE Sport, the current Latvia manager expressed confidence that Saints can avoid such a fate this season.

"Of course I still watch Southampton, it is my second home," he said. "My kid was born there and I still follow, not as much as probably a few years ago, with a lot of things to do now.

"Unfortunately results are not so good at the moment, but I believe in this club, I believe in the fans who are going to support them and I think they are going to get out of this (relegation) zone."

Following the international break, Saints are back in action with a major away trip to relegation-rivals West Ham.