Saints have been rocked by an injury scare to ace striker Marian Pahars on the eve of the new Premiership campaign.

Last season's leading scorer returned from international duty with Latvia nursing a thigh injury making him doubtful for tomorrow's opener at Derby.

And Glenn Hoddle's plans have been thrown into further disarray because skipper Jason Dodd is a doubt through illness.

With Dean Richards suspended and Francis Benali out for another month with a fractured fibula, Saints could find themselves forced into a last-minute re-shuffle.

The past two weeks or pre-season training have been geared almost entirely towards tomorrow with Hoddle knowing what tactics and shape he intended to deploy.

That may now change. If Pahars fails to make it then Jo Tessem or Hassan Kachloul could be recalled in his role just behind Uwe Rosler.

Kevin Davies could be pushed further forward in a more orthodox 4-4-2 or there could be a call-up for James Beattie.

With no experienced recognised right-back cover, Hoddle could slot in Garry Monk, Imants Bleidelis, Stuart Ripley, Matt Oakley or even Tessem if Dodd does not play.

Alternatively he could switch to three at the back with Chris Marsden dropping into defence. Matthew Le Tissier is ruled out by his calf injury.

Hoddle, who is himself suffering from tonsilitis, said: "We have just picked up a couple of key injuries at the wrong time which is a bit of a concern.

"Marian picked up a whack in a clash with the keeper but he could still play. We will have to have a look at him nearer the time.

"It just emphasises what I said earlier that this is a disappointing time to have an international game but we are not the only ones and we have to deal with it.

"The good thing is that we have worked in pre-season on changing our shape, even during games so we have players to come in and replace them in different ways and still not detract from the team."

Hoddle had words of encouragement for those who do not make tomorrow's starting 11 stressing that they still have a major part to play this season, and possibly even at Pride Park.

He added: "There is a real excitement about the new season but obviously some are going to be disappointed because they are not starting tomorrow.

"But that does not mean they do not figure in my plans, particularly those on the bench.

"Not a game goes by these days without substitutes being used.

"The most vital time of games in the last 20 minutes. That is whenthey're won and lost. You don't win a match in the first ten minutes.

"Manchester United would not have won the Champions' League without using substitutes.

"The game only gets stretched in the last half hour when fitness levels come into play, because of the pace of the game. Substitutes are very important and it is vital to apporach that area ultra-professionally.

"We have a big squad and we are still looking to strengthen.

"We have been close four or five times with potential new players and just missed out for one reason or another, which has been frustrating.

"But we are still striving to get people in within the constraints of the club - and then maybe we will shave the squad a bit.

"First and foremost we need to stay up, but we should be looking to bridge the gap to the middle teams.

"Then there is no reason why we should not think about realistically winning something in the next couple of years."

Former Saints favourite Ken Monkou has been transfer-listed by Huddersfield for failing to turn up to a practice match arranged to help him recover from a hamstring injury.

The Dutch defender has also been fined two weeks' wages and suspended for a fortnight by furious manager Steve Bruce.

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