A DECISION in the trial of an ex-Saints youth football coach accused of indecently assaulting young players will be made next week.

It comes after the jury in the case of Bob Higgins retired once more today - after four days of deliberations.

The jury are now set to return next week to continue deliberations.

Bob Higgins, who ran schoolboy coaching programmes for Southampton and Peterborough United, is accused of 50 counts of indecent assault against 24 complainants between 1971 and 1996.

The trial at Winchester Crown Court has heard that the 65-year-old is alleged to have groped the youngsters while giving them soapy massages after training sessions, as well as in his car and at his

home.

He has been described as a "fantastic" coach, but is accused of using his "position of power" to determine the future footballing careers of teenage players to take advantage of them.

Higgins, from Southampton, denies the offences and says the allegations are false and any touching was not deliberate.