SAINTS bosses will hear this week whether they can finally go ahead with their plans to build a new Dell - just 24 hours before their relegation crunch match at Wimbledon.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was given the final say on the planning application after permission was granted for the development on the old gasworks site on Britannia Road, St Mary's, by Southampton City Council.

He originally had 28 days to decide whether to call in the application, but the deadline was extended until after the local elections on Thursday.

The City Council and Saints bosses have now been tipped off that Mr Prescott will rule on the application on Friday, 38 days after permission was granted.

Saints travel to Wimbledon on Saturday needing to gain at least a point before entertaining Everton in the final game of the season.

Their plans for the new Dell could be hauled before a planning inquiry on the basis that the club is providing just 293 on-site parking spaces for up to 32,000 fans - a departure from usual planning requirements.

Opponents to the stadium scheme - led by the Federation of Ethnic Minorities - have begged Mr Prescott to call in the plans, arguing they could not be determined fairly on home turf. If he does, the potential opening date of the stadium - the start of the 2000/1 season - could be set back by more than 12 months.

But both Saints director Andrew Cowan and city leader John Arnold are both optimistic the decision will be left to stand.

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