Saints are playing a straight bat to reports that Rupert Lowe has sensationally quit the club - four days before the EGM called to decide his fate.

Rumours have swept Southampton like wildfire that the under-fire chairman has, along with his board, decided they have no chance of defeating Michael Wilde at Monday's EGM and have stood down now.

When the Echo contacted Saints ten minutes ago they confirmed there is no official word on any such happening at this time.

Wilde has called for the removal of Lowe, Andrew Cowen, Guy Askham, Mike Richards and David Windsor-Clive at the EGM.

They would be replaced by Wilde himself, Jim Hone, Lee Hoos, Ken Dulieu and Patrick Trant.

The balance has today swung well and truly in Wilde's favour with the release of a statement through the Echo of major shareholder Leon Crouch.

The New Forest industrialist's near ten per cent holding was seen as holding the key to the result of the EGM and his declaration in favour of Wilde has given him a massive 42 per cent of the total vote, which means Lowe requires a near miracle to survive an EGM vote.

Any official confirmation of Lowe's resignation would have to be announced in a statement to the Stock Exchange under PLC rules.

For the latest Saints news, don't miss tomorrow's Daily Echo.

Two more potential investors will be named in tomorrow's paper.