Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle is looking forward to doing battle with former England team-mate Peter Reid at Sunderland this afternoon.

Hoddle knows that Reid will have Sunderland well prepared for the managerial head-to-head between the former international midfield colleagues.

And he has warned his defenders to keep an eye on former Southampton youth team right back Kevin Phillips, who cleaned Alan Shearer's boots before leaving The Dell for Baldock Town in 1993.

Hoddle, who played alongside Reid in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat against Argentina, said: "Peter Reid was a very simple but effective player and it's the same with his teams.

"Sunderland get the ball forward quickly to Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn and it seems to work.

"Their simple style is their strength. Kevin Phillips is a special striker and Niall Quinn is very subtle as well as being a target man.

"They can cause you all sorts of problems if you underestimate them. Phillips is brilliant at feeding off Quinn and Quinny has got a great first touch and good movement.

"It's going to be a clash of styles because Sunderland are a battling side under Reidy and if we go up there thinking we are just going to pass the ball and have plenty of time on it we'll suffer."

Hoddle, whose side go to the Stadium of Light on the back of a 3-2 home win over Chelsea, added: "We played well against Chelsea but it's going to be totally different at Sunderland. Our away form has been very good this season.

"Apart from a bad spell at Old Trafford we've done OK and we'll be looking to continue that on Saturday. Sunderland are unbeaten at home this season so it should be a tight game."

Southampton captain Jason Dodd, who signed a contract keeping him at the Dell until 2003 last week, is delighted to have Dean Richards back after an Achilles injury.

Right back Dodd said: "It's fantastic to have Deano alongside me in defence. He gives everyone so much confidence and was unbelievable against Chelsea last week when you consider that he wasn't fully fit.

"He'll be needed against Phillips and Quinn. Let's just hope we can get another three points up there on Saturday."