CLAUS Lundekvam is celebrating a dream double - Saints have won their Premiership survival battle and he has become a proud father.

His girlfriend Nina gave birth to an 8lb baby girl Tia and then went through agony again listening to radio commentary of Saints' 2-0 win over Everton.

She joked: "It was worse than the labour! Obviously I couldn't get to the game and it was awful listening to it and worrying but everything turned out fine for all three of us."

The labour was induced four days before the match to ensure the Saints centre-back would be free to play - but he then picked up a virus which made him doubtful until the morning of the game.

He said: "I had a really bad chest and felt very tired. It had been a hectic week with having the baby but she is absolutely beautiful. We are very proud of her.

"Sunday was a wonderful day because we got the right result and then I went to the hospital to bring my two girls home. I could not have wished for any-thing more."

Lundekvam is pictured wearing the new official Great Escape T-shirt which is now available in the club shop priced £9.99 for adults and £7.99 for children aged 7-8 or 9-11.

Saints striker Steve Basham was badly missed by Preston whose promotion dream ended with a 1-0 defeat at Gillingham.

Basham scored 10 goals in 15 games on loan for North End but his stay expired just before the play-offs.

He is now a free agent and is waiting to hear what Saints and Preston may have to offer with any fee being decided by a tribunal.

Former Saints midfielder Jim Magilton missed out on Wembley as his Ipswich side lost to Bolton on away goals despite a 4-3 win.

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