NIGEL Adkins hailed a great week for Saints, as the club’s hopes of a Premier League return further improved.

A 2-0 win over Doncaster at St Mary’s strengthened their grip at the top of the Championship, crucially moving them nine points clear of third-placed West Ham.

Saints have now won four straight and are unbeaten in 12 league matches.

With just seven games left in their season, it is increasingly hard to imagine that the club won’t go up automatically.

But, unsurprisingly, Adkins refused to get too excited after watching Billy Sharp strike twice against his former side.

“There are seven games to go,” he said. “We’ve just had a very good week.

“We’ve scored two good goals today and three good wins in the week.

“What we’ll do is recover ourselves and get ready for the next one.”

The Saints boss also revealed that Rickie Lambert was withdrawn with a pelvic injury early in the second half, but insisted the striker would be fit to face Blackpool away next Saturday.