Saints skipper Chris Marsden has declared himself fit to face Arsenal in tomorrow's FA Cup final.

The influential midfielder was a major doubt for the game after hobbling off against Bolton two weeks ago with damage to his right leg sustained the previous week at Charlton.

Last Friday, he was totally unable to run and was beginning to face up to the prospect of missing the biggest game of his 17- year professional career.

But the 34-year-old has healed in double-quick time and came through a make-or-break training session at St Mary's yesterday lunchtime before the team set off for Cardiff.

Speaking form the team coach, a delighted Marsden said: "I'll find out for certain on Friday how it is but, right now, I'm very pleased.

"I did a full training session with the boys and I came through it with no problems and hopefully that will be the end of it.

"I had a bit of local anaesthetic in it afterwards, which all the lads found quite amusing because my right leg went completely numb, so I was all over the place!

"I'm very happy that I've got to this stage and it's a massive relief for me. Last Friday I thought I was going to be out so to get back in contention again is great for me.

"We have to wait and see for sure but right now I'm 100 per cent confident I'm going to be fit."

The news will come as a huge boost for Saints and manager Gordon Strachan who can now include Marsden in his pre-match plans to topple Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

Also fit is goalkeeper Antti Niemi, who has missed the last two league matches as a precaution with a recurring knee problem and fourth round goalscoring hero Kevin Davies, who has overcome a bruised foot to contest a place on the bench.

A large crowd of fans gathered at St Mary's to wave the team off yesterday and Strachan said: "The players just need to get away from all the excitement here and to focus on the game.

"Normally, we would go up the day before the game but the city is buzzing and, even when the players are at home, their phones are ringing."

The Daily Echo will be kicking off their day at the final on air as Saints reporters Adam Leitch and Jeremy Wilson take a place on BBC Radio Five Live's FA Cup breakfast show live from Cardiff on Saturday morning.

The programme runs from 7-9am and will be presented by Brian Alexander.

You can tune in and listen to all the build- up on 909 and 693 MW.

Much more Cup final news in tonight's Daily Echo