Jason Dodd says he is looking forward to meeting up with ex-Dell teammate Alan Shearer at Newcastle tomorrow - just so long as Saints win.

The Saints skipper is the only one in the likely Saints 16 that played with Shearer when he was beginning his career at The Dell and the pair have remained friends ever since.

But Dodd insists he'll be doing his best to get one over on his old pal so he can have a quick gloat after the game.

He said: "It's just another game for me - I know it sounds stupid as I'm playing against Alan, but you have to look at it like that.

"It's great to play against him again but we're only friends afterwards when I can say: 'unlucky!'

"Before the match, it's just a quick 'hello' and you can catch up after if you get the chance. But then you don't always want to if you have lost!"

Dodd praised the Toon hero for keeping his fantastic scoring record going in the face of injuries and said he understood Shearer's decision to retire from playing for England.

"Alan's record speaks for itself," said the Saints right-back. "He just gets on with his game and lets the young lads do all the running around him.

"Alan does his business in the box and his record really does speak for itself.

"I thought he was fantastic for England but Alan made that decision and it seems to be right, because his club form is excellent."

Dodd is unsure whether Newcastle's exploits in their midweek 3-2 Champions' League win will work in Saints' favour, but is aiming to try and silence the normally boisterous St James' Park crowd by shutting out the Magpies for as long as possible.

"Is it a good time to play them? Maybe, but it could also go the other way," he said.

"Their result in midweek was fantastic and I'm pleased that another English club is through in the Champions' League.

"I'm just hoping when they turn out tomorrow, they might take us a bit lightly.

"I'm sure Bobby Robson won't want them to do it but, after their win, it's going to be a great atmosphere at St James' Park before the match and they are bound to get a great entrance.

"But we need to try and keep the crowd quiet for the first 20 minutes - and they may be quick to change because they'll be expecting a lot more from their team now."

Southampton's St Mary's clash with Liverpool has been selected by Sky TV to be screened on pay-per-view.

It will still take place on Saturday, January 18, but with a 5.35pm kickoff.

It follows Sky's decision to put back Saints' match at Everton a day to Sunday, February 23 (4.05pm).

Read why Jason Dodd is helping the non-league club whose ground he painted as a trainee - see tomorrow's Pink.