David Hirst has an ulterior motive for hoping that Sheffield Wednesday can beat Saints in tomorrow's AXA sponsored FA Cup fourth round tie at The Dell.

The former England striker, who quit the game through injury a year ago yesterday, still has great affection for both his old clubs - but he believes the Owls need the win more.

He is saddened to see the cash-strapped Yorkshire side floundering near the foot of the First Division but hopes that a morale-boosting victory over Southampton could help fire them to safety.

He said: "They are in real danger of going straight through after being relegated from the Premiership last season.

"They lost ten players during the summer and another couple since and no club can afford to lose that many.

"Manager Paul Jewell is having to rebuild without as much financial backing as the club has had in the past.

"When they were relegated while I was there, they bounced straight back but that is not going to happen this time; fourth from bottom will do me.

"Staying up is far more important than doing well in the cup but if they can get a good result at Southampton then it can kickstart their season.

"They are desperate for a boost but the only way they can get confidence is by winning and this might just be a chance for them to lift their spirits. Even a draw would do."

But Hirst suspects that in-form Saints will prove too strong for Wednesday who are currently third from bottom in Division 1.

He added: "I think Saints will be a bit too strong for them. Glenn Hoddle has got them well organised and James Beattie is scoring for fun at the moment.

"It is amazing the difference confidence makes. I know that feeling. You believe you are going to score every time you play and somehow the goals just keep going in.

"Wednesday have Alan Quinn who has been linked with a few big clubs in the press while Gerald Sibon can turn it on and get goals from anywhere if he is in the mood.

"But Southampton are playing well, even away from home. They are always very hard to beat at The Dell.

"I have always believed that it is not a nice place to play - for visiting teams anyway.

"It is a bit of a fortress, there are very few away fans and the Saints supporters are magnificent when they get behind the team.

"It is a long way for northern clubs to come and that plays a part too. No-one likes to travel five hours in a coach and then face the same again on the way back, especially after a defeat. Not too many northern players like doing that."

Hirst is still Southampton's record signing at £2 million, paying off a large chunk of the fee with nine goals in 28 appearances to lift the club to 12th in 1998.

But he badly damaged cruciate ligaments in a freak stumble when his foot caught in a pothole on a summer training run.

A string of operations failed to cure the problem and he made just two more appearances as substitute before hanging up his boots a year ago yesterday.

Now he does occasional media work for Sky or local radio, and works in the Hillsborough hospitality lounges on match-days.

He said: "It keeps my eye in. To be honest I don't miss playing too much - the hard part was packing in. Once the decision was made I just accepted it.

"I tried playing Sunday League football for a while but even that was too much for the knee, so I called it a day there too.

"I am enjoying retirement. You can't beat getting up when you want and playing golf - it's nearly as easy as training!

"It means I can spend more time with the family too. We have just had a little girl, Olivia, who was born last Saturday. She is a sister for George and is keeping me busy right now.

"I am hoping to get to tomorrow's game along with John Beresford, another Sheffield boy and former Saint.

"It would be a decent match to see - and with an overnight stay it will give me a good night's sleep!"