STUART GRAY and Glenn Hoddle embraced warmly like long-lost friends after their teams did battle - but then stonewalled over the tug-of-love for Dean Richards.

Richards' towering performance against the club who have made no secret of their desire for him increased speculation that the saga could raise its head again.

But, if it does, they will find Saints in defiant mood.

Saints boss Staurt Gray again reiterated that Saints would only sell the big central defender on their terms.

"We have a valuation of what we think Dean is worth and Spurs have a different one.

"If they want him, they will have to pay the going rate," said Gray.

Spurs' interest in the defender hit the buffers last week, after they stalled at Saints asking price.

Hoddle dropped hints, though, that Spurs may be prepared to up their £4 million bid for Richards.

He said: "Dean was probably Southampton's best player and you could see today why I rate him so highly," said Hoddle.

"It's on record that we have put a bid in for him and, at this moment in time, that's how it stands.

"Whether we decide to increase our bid or not is a matter for me to discuss with the board."

But Hoddle also hinted that Spurs may still find Saints asking price too high, admitting: "In the meantime, we are scouring Europe and Britain for a central defender and will continue to do so."

Richards held a meeting with chairman Rupert Lowe last Thursday and has refused to comment either side of the Spurs game.

But his agent, Ian Elliott, has said that he will probably be making a statement some time this week.