TOTTENHAM keeper Kasey Keller was today expected to seal a loan move to Saints.

The American international has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs.

He would provide vital short-term cover with Antti Niemi out for at least three weeks after a knee op and with deputy Paul Smith still recovering from a broken thumb.

Keller, 35 later this month, could even come into the starting line-up tomorrow ahead of Alan Blayney.

But his participation would depend on the necessary paperwork being completed in time.

Keller is a veteran of over 400 league and cup games for Millwall, Leicester and Tottenham.

He also spent two seasons with Spanish club Rayo Vallecano following a £900,000 switch from Leicester in 1999. He joined Spurs on a free in 2001.

He has only played two Carling Cup ties - at Oldham and Bolton - this season following the arrival during the summer of England keeper Paul Robinson from Leeds.

REFEREE Graham Poll could be a lucky omen for Saints tomorrow. The Tring official also took charge of Saints' 2-0 Carling Cup win over Pompey last November.

Indeed, Poll - who sent Alan Smith off in the Manchester derby last Sunday - refereed four Pompey games last season and they lost the lot!

But will superstitious Saints fans want to know tomorrow's game is their club's 13th of the Premiership season on the 13th of the month! And Steve Wigley's 13th game in charge in 2004/05 was last Tuesday!

And another lucky omen could be the fact the Daily Echo's football team beat the Portsmouth News 3-2 at AFC Totton last night!