CHRIS BAIRD, the forgotten man at St Mary's, could be brought out of the wilderness for Saints' assault on the Championship.

Baird won his 16th Northern Ireland cap in Saturday's 4-1 defeat against Germany in Belfast - exactly double the amount of times he has featured for Saints!

The 23-year-old has only ever made three first team starts for Saints - one of which was in the FA Cup final two years ago!

Since then, Gordon Strachan and Paul Sturrock have only used him sparingly and Steve Wigley and Harry Redknapp haven't played him at all.

Baird's agent, Gary Williams, though, is convinced Redknapp WILL give Baird a long-overdue chance in the Championship - especially now that Jason Dodd has been released.

Williams said last night: "If Chris doesn't get a chance at the start of next season then it could be time for him to move on.

"If Saints aren't going to use him there's plenty of others who will.

"But Harry's been talking positively to Chris and I'm sure Chris will get a chance.

"Harry took him in two weeks before the end of the season and said if Saints were in a better position then he'd play him.

"Chris deserves a chance and now that Jason Dodd has gone, he should get his chance."

Speaking ahead of Saturday's friendly loss, Baird said: "People keep mentioning the fact that I've played more games for Ireland than I have for Southampton and it is frustrating for me.

"I go into training every day and work hard to impress and since Harry Redknapp came I have been involved in most of the squads and travelled to a lot of away games, but in the end I didn't play a game.

"I want to get into the first-team because Southampton is where I want to play my football.

"I just have to keep working hard through pre-season to get my chance and then take it."

Williams also represents Saints goalkeeper Alan Blayney and confirmed that Brighton, for whom the Irishman played seven games on loan last season, were interested in signing him on a permanent deal.

Williams said: "It depends on what Saints do with Niemi.

"They won't want to leave themselves short so I don't think anything's going to happen until Niemi's future is sorted.

"Alan's still got a year to run on his contract and I know Dave Coles (Saints goalkeeping coach) rates him highly."