ANOTHER week, another player out for the rest of the season for Saints - this time it's Danny Higginbotham.

The versatile defender, who has been employed at both left-back and in the centre of defence for most of the season, has had his appendix removed.

Higgy felt ill after the Aston Villa match on Saturday and got worse over the weekend.

He was taken to hospital and the operation has now been performed.

He joins Matt Oakley, Jason Dodd, Graeme Le Saux, Neil McCann, Rory Delap and Michael Svensson on the sidelines for the remainder of the campaign.

Higginbotham's absence will mean yet another defensive re-shuffle for Paul Sturrock.

Claus Lundekvam and Fitz Hall will almost certainly be in the centre of defence.

There is the option of playing either Martin Cranie or Stephen Crainey at left-back.

Alternatively, Darren Kenton could take that role or Paul Telfer could switch across the pitch with Kenton playing at right-back.