HERE Wig-O, Here-Wig-O, Here-Wig-O! The atmosphere in Southampton is reaching fever pitch ahead of tomorrow's massive FA Cup match at St Mary's when Saints take on Wolves.

A semi-final place is up for grabs and fans across the city are backing Gordon Strachan's side to romp to victory.

Supporters have been going red wig mad to cheer on the lads in their bid to get past the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986.

They will then be just one match away from a trip to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and the chance to emulate Lawrie McMenemy's legendary FA Cup winners of 1976.

Fans going to tomorrow's match can get their hands on a stylish red wig with copies of our special souvenir edition of The Pink, on sale outside the stadium before the game. Chief Supt Graham Wyeth, match commander at the St Mary's Stadium, joined Southampton bobbies in backing Saints.

He said: "From our point of view it's slightly different to usual, because it is a late afternoon Sunday kick-off.

"Clearly it's a big day for the whole city and I've policed Saints' games for many years, so will be wishing them well."

Youngsters from Mount Pleasant Junior School in Northam were also on the ball by donning the wigs during their break time.

Head teacher John Hayward said: "A lot of the children here are really keen on football and I do follow the Saints' games and I hope they do well tomorrow."

The sell-out match at St Mary's will be the most important seen at the stadium since the club moved from The Dell two seasons ago.

Saints' glorious cup run has already bagged them in the region of £2m but there is still far more cash up for grabs.

Tomorrow's winners have the incentive of £400,000 in prize money alone, as well as the guarantee of a share of more gate receipts, lucrative television money from live games and a shot at the £2m on offer to the eventual cup winners.

Victory in Cardiff would mean a total windfall approaching £10m - as well as all the prestige that would go with European football.

Chairman Rupert Lowe has pledged the money will be used to strengthen all areas of the club, adding: "The FA Cup is very important to the club financially and we are delighted with the progress we have made. The more revenue we generate, the more we can spend on the squad and the facilities of the club.

"Now we have to concentrate on the cup run and the last nine league games and finishing off the foundation we have built for ourselves.

"It should be an exciting day and an extremely exciting end to the season."

For the past two weeks Southampton has been getting into the FA Cup spirit by wearing the Daily Echo red wigs.

Saints-mad staff at Dee Cee Upholstery in Portswood have joined in the fun, too.

Derek Caplen, a partner in the 25-year-old business, is a long-standing Saints supporter.

Pride of place in the shop window goes to the unique Bobby Stokes chair, upholstered in the yellow and blue FA Cup-winning strip of 1976.

Mr Caplen said: "May we take this opportunity to wish the Saints a comfortable win on Sunday!"

GET YOUR RED WIG FREE WHILE STOCKS LAST WHEN YOU BUY THE SOUVENIR EDITION OF THE PINK ON SALE AT TOMORROW'S GAME AND SEE MONDAY'S DAILY ECHO FOR FULL MATCH COVERAGE.