Just a week ago the 13 hamsters were facing death after being heartlessly abandoned.

Now they are looking for a saint of their own to care for them, having recovered from their ordeal and going from strength to strength with the names of the Southampton team behind them.

Discovered huddled together, the small balls of fur were left to defend themselves against the chilly temperatures in nothing more than a cardboard box.

The Syrian hamsters, under a month old, were left without food or bedding when they were abandoned at Redlands Lane car park in Fareham last week.

A passer-by discovered the litter of seven females and six males and took them home, where he fed and watered them.

The RSPCA was alerted and now the hamsters are being looked after at the Stubbington Ark rescue centre, from where three of the litter have already been rehomed.

In a bid to take FA cup fever into the animal kingdom, staff there decided to name them after the Southampton players and hope their run in the cup will prove to be a lucky namesake for the hamster family.

They have been called Niemi, Telfer, Anders Svensson, Lundekvam, Bridge, Fernandes, Michael Svensson, Oakley, Marsden, Ormerod and James Beattie, with the remaining two named after manager Gordon Strachan and injured controversial South American striker Augustin Delgado.

Animal carer Barry Hobbs said the furry version of the Saints squad were recovering well after their ordeal.

"Although they were cold and worse for wear when they came in they are certainly much better now and up to lots of mischief. I just hope the hamsters will be as lucky as Saints have been in the cup," he said.

The case has prompted a warning to pet owners from the animal charity to be aware of the needs of animals before taking them on.

RSPCA collection officer Debbie Ogilvie said: "Instead of taking responsible action, the former owner has just dumped these tiny animals and in doing so left someone else to pick up the pieces.

"Luckily they were found before they perished and we will now be looking to rehome the remainder of the litter, individually."

EVEN Beattie the hamster, pictured above inset, has been caught up in red-wig fever gripping the south before Saints' FA Cup quarter-final clash against Wolves on Sunday. Thanks to the Echo's photo wizardry we gave the homeless hamster a rare red wig only available when fans buy a copy of our special souvenir edition of the Pink on sale outside the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium before the big game.