Ryan Ashford could be handed an early birthday present to-night in the shape of his senior Saints debut at Mansfield.

The left wing-back from Honiton in Devon is still a third-year scholar at the club's academy and will not be 19 until a fortnight on Friday.

But the highly-rated prospect is in line to figure in the second leg of the Worthington League Cup tie as manager Glenn Hoddle looks to shuffle his pack.

With a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and several injury doubts, he may take the chance to look at some of the club's youngsters including midfielder Kevin Gibbens and Dani Rodrigues as well as Ashford who was 17th man for last week's tie.

However the boss stressed again that he will take no chances having targetted this as a competition his side can possibly win.

Hoddle said: "This is not a game for kids as this is one of the trophies where we can go all the way or have a good run which builds confidence.

"First and foremost we want to win the game so I am not going to throw in three or four youngsters but I may give one or two of them a run-out.

"Ryan has done reasonably well and has a sweet left peg. He still has a lot of improving to do but there is plenty in the tank already and he will get better. This might be the chance to give him some experience and maybe even start him.

"However Ryan and Kevin both picked up slight knocks in training so they will be a late shout anyway but they are both with us for the experience and Dani is also in the squad.

"There may be people injured or rested tonight and those who come in have to take their chance to impress me."

Definitely out are Jo Tessem with a badly bruised instep and Hassan Kachloul with a dead leg but Marian Pahars trained yesterday after recovering from a calf problem although he may be rested for Saturday's home game against Middlesbrough.

Mark Draper is still missing with an ankle injury but expects to be fit for Saturday while Matthew Le Tissier has a slightly tight hamstring and may not be risked.

If Gibbens plays it will be his first senior appearance for almost exactly two years and he is relishing the chance to try and re-launch his career.

He said: "The last 18 months or so have been very frustrating with injuries. I had my groins done and then the cartilage in my right knee.

"It has been stop-start for me but this is a big season for me and a chance to really push on. I don't know yet if I will figure tonight but I hope so.

"Reserve games are one thing but there is nothing like playing in the first-team and this will be a big night.

"With a 2-0 lead we should be OK but you never know and if I do play I won't be going out to make up the numbers but to try and do a job and to impress the manager."

Saints: (from) Jones, Ripley, Dodd, Lundekvam, Richards, Ashford, Soltvedt, Marsden, El Khalej, Le Tissier, Beattie, Pahars, Rosler, Bridge, Oakley, Rodrigues, Gibbens, Moss.

Mansfield: (from) Mimms, Robinson, Jervis, Hicks, Asher, Corden, Blake, Clarke, Williams, Greenacre, Bacon, Andrews, Williamson, Boulding, Hassell, Disley, White, Pilkington.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.