JAMES BEATTIE should be receiving a welcome phone call from the FA over the next few days.

The Saints striker is regarded as a near certainty to be included in the England squad for the friendly international against Australia at Upton Park on February 12th.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has watched Beattie several times in recent weeks and is said to have been impressed by the form of the man who's scored 17 goals so far this season.

His latest effort, the winner at Sunderland on Tuesday night, showed again the high confidence level of the 24 year old. If he's not picked now he never will be! Great news though it will be for him and the club, it's a worrying thought that he's the only striker at St Mary's who looks likely to score at present. Brett Ormerod has managed six so far this season, but, with both Marian Pahars and the unfortunate Agustin Delgado ruled out by injury, Saints must be praying that Beattie can stay fit.

Goals from midfield are in short supply - only six have come from the four regular occupants of the places - so the club could be forgiven for looking to boost the firepower before the transfer 'window' closes later today (Friday). At the time of writing, efforts were still being made to secure a deal for Derby defender Danny Higginbotham, who can operate in several roles at the back.

But having cleared the decks by shipping out half a dozen fringe members of the squad, Gordon Strachan may yet come up with a surprise or two. If not, he looks very short of numbers.