JIM MAGILTON aims to leave Saints with the same sort of sour taste in the mouth that he had when he left the club.

The Northern Ireland international pass-master has been the mainspring of promoted Ipswich's flight to the top of the Premiership but admits that his exit from The Dell three years ago was not on the best of terms.

"I had four great years at The Dell but it was a sour ending for both parties," says Magilton who exercised his freedom of contract in September 1997 to join Sheffield Wednesday in a £1.6 million move.

"I'd had five games as a Premiership captain, and then there was a contract wrangle which could have been sorted out.

"The fans probably thought I left for money but it wasn't the case. The club had just given Matt Le Tissier a new four-year deal and I wasn't asking for the earth. But when I started talking to Sheffield Wednesday they came back to me but it was too late."

"It was a sorry end and I could have still been at Saints now. My son Adam was born in Southampton and I loved the place."

Magilton played in the then First Division Ipswich side beaten 1-0 by Saints in last season's FA Cup third round at Portman Road, but reckons their sights might be set at a different level this time round.

"What a difference a year makes. Last year, Saints came here in the FA Cup expecting to win but their expectations won't be so high this time round.

"Teams are coming here to shut up shop. Derby did it in our last home match and that speaks mountains for us."

Magilton has other reasons for wanting to put one over on his former club.

"Since I left Saints I have played against them three times, winning twice and losing once, and having won at Liverpool last week I could get back-to-back wins over former clubs."