SAINTS could face a reunion with one of their former defenders, Darren Powell, when they host MK Dons on Saturday.

The 33-year-old centre back joined Paul Ince’s side on a free transfer in the summer.

Powell spent more than three years at St Mary’s, after being signed on a free transfer by Harry Redknapp in July 2005, shortly after Saints were relegated from the Premier League.

He made 43 league appearances and six in the FA Cup during his time at Saints.

He also scored twice – in a 2-2 draw at Ipswich in September 2005 and the 3-2 home loss to QPR in February 2008.

However, Powell was released by the club shortly after the end of the 2007/08 season, when they avoided relegation from the Championship on the final day.

The former Crystal Palace man had spells at Derby and Brentford last season, before moving to the Dons, where he has enjoyed a good season to date.

Ince’s side boast one of the league’s meanest defences so far this campaign, having conceded just nine goals in their first 13 games.

Powell has been a fairly regular fixture in the team, making eight starts and two substitute appearances in all competitions.

He played 90 minutes in the 1-0 home win over Walsall two weeks ago.

However, although not suffering from injury, Powell was left out of the squad for the 2-0 victory against Gillingham last Saturday.

One player in the Dons squad Saints won’t be facing is their own Oscar Gobern, who has been on loan to Paul Ince’s men for the last few weeks.

Gobern made his Dons debut as a late sub against Gillingham, a few minutes after his brother Lewis had also entered the action.

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