When Glenn Hoddle took over at The Dell a year ago, the key question for many fans was how he would use Matthew Le Tissier.

After all, Hoddle had broken their hero's heart by leaving him out of his squad for France '98 even though he had scored a hat-trick and hit the woodwork twice in his final trial game for England B.

Le Tissier had made his disappointment plain at the time, feeling he at least deserved a chance in one of the pre-tournament friendly internationals.

Once at Saints, though, Hoddle stressed the crowd favourite would play an integral part in his plans - if he could get himself fit.

And that has proved the stumbling block.

Le Tissier has been beset by one injury problem after another, the latest being a knee problem which has sidelined him since the end of October.

In the past year, Le Tissier has made just six starts, plus a further six appearances off the bench - a statistic which frustrates both player and manager.

Now he is rapidly approaching the end of his contract and there is no offer on the table, at least until he gets fit.

But Hoddle has no doubts about the player's ability and would love nothing more than to get him back to his best.

He said: "We want to get Matthew fit. He has enormous talent but he has hardly played since I have been here.

"That his not through his choice or mine. It is purely down to fitness.

"He has always been injured but he has put a lot of work in to recover from his knee injury and he now needs games and a lot more training.

"He has been at this point before but he must get past it and get really fit and become part of the squad that I can choose from.

"I have not really had that yet. He has got close and then something seems to knock him sideways.

"He is as frustrated as I am about it. I've been through enough injuries myself to know what he is going through.

"In these circumstances, there is nothing else for a player to do but get his head down and keep believing it is going to turn for you.

"Those kind of challenges can make you stronger as a player when you overcome them.

"Fingers crossed he can come through this one, get fit and stay injury-free."