Jason Dodd will tonight put almost five months of frustration behind him when he is drafted in to answer a defensive crisis for Saints at Gillingham.

Club record signing Rory Delap is both suspended and injured while Tahar El Khalej is struggling with a groin strain.

With no replacement for Dean Richards yet signed, Saints are short of cover at the back as Francis Benali is almost certainly out with a calf tweak.

If El Khalej fails to recover, Dodd (above) could find himself drafted into the centre of defence although manager Stuart Gray could also turn to Garry Monk.

Dodd himself has played only two reserve games since undergoing surgery on a knee injury last May.

He said: "It took far longer to recover than I thought. I was hoping to be back for pre-season but it just dragged on and on.

"The knee feels fine now; it is just my match fitness which needs building up. I have worked hard in training in recent weeks so hopefully I am not too far behind the rest of the lads.

"The two reserve games went well and this will be another stepping stone before Saturday's game against Arsenal. Hopefully we can get a good result tonight to give the manager a difficult decision once Rory is back.

"And I hope we can win it in 90 minutes as I don't fancy extra-time although I am sure I could get through if need be. I'm down for a spot-kick if it goes that far!"

This one-off Worthington League Cup third round tie must be decided on the night and Saints are prepared in case it goes to extra-time and penalties.

Anders Svensson is sore after scoring in Sweden's 3-0 win over Azerbiajan on Sunday but should be OK while Paul Jones, Marian Pahars and Imants Bleidelis returned from international duty with a clean bill of health.

Much-travelled veteran striker Bob Taylor is hoping to make his debut for Gillingham after moving from West Brom.

He is not cup-tied and is eligible to play tonight although he is unlikely to displace Marlon King or Iffy Onoura in the starting line-up.

Ty Gooden is struggling with a groin injury picked up in the 2-1 defeat by Coventry which kept him out of the club's four-day training break in La Manga.

Centre-back Barry Ashby serves a one-match ban but Adrian Pennock could return after missing four games with a hamstring problem. Otherwise that could let in former Pompey defender Guy Butters.