SAINTS are today set to find out how much they must pay Brentford for left-back Ryan Dickson.

The 23-year-old moved to St Mary's on a free transfer earlier this summer, after rejecting a new deal at Griffin Park.

However, as he is under 24, the Bees are still owed compensation for the player.

Negotiations between the clubs over a suitable fee reached a stalemate, though.

Brentford wanted as much as £500,000, with Saints unwilling to go above £100,000.

That has led to the case being put before a tribunal, which will set the fee.

Brentford are confident they can secure at least £300,000 for Dickson through that route.

A hearing of the Professional Football Compensation Committee is due to hear the case in London today.

It is not yet clear whether their judgement will be publicly announced.

Cornwall-born Dickson started his career as a trainee at Plymouth.

After spending time on loan at Torquay, he signed for Brentford in January 2008, after a short temporary spell at Griffin Park.

Dickson made 96 appearances for the London club, chipping in with three goals.

He became Pardew's first summer signing this year, when he put pen-to-paper on a three-year-deal in June.