WELSH youth international Gareth Bale has pledged to win the Academy League Play-off final for injured team mate Craig Richards.

Bale, 16, made a telling contribution in the semi-final win over Blackburn at Staplewood last weekend, scoring one and setting up another in the 4-0 romp.

But the highly-rated left back - who has been linked with Liverpool and Spurs this week - also witnessed Richards, right, dislocate his ankle in what could be the 19-year-old's last game at Saints

Team spirit among the youngsters is high and Bale hopes victory over Aston Villa at St Mary's tomorrow will be a tribute to the contribution made by Richards.

"We've reached the final now and we want to go on and win it," said Bale, who along with Under-18 skipper Lloyd James was part of the Welsh under-21 squad that won the first leg of their European Championship qualifying tie 2-0 in Estonia last night.

"It was a nasty injury (for Craig), he had to have an operation straight away. I wish him all the best and hope he gets back fully fit.

"We'll do it for him."

This season has seen a rapid rise for Bale, who last month became Saints' second youngest ever first team player after former room mate, and now England World Cup squad player, Theo Walcott.

The Cardiff-born lad impressed in his two first team outings against Millwall and Leicester and admitted it was a little alien playing back at Staplewood last weekend in front of a handful of spectators after gracing St Mary's in front of over 20,000.

"It was a bit strange, the crowd is a lot different," said Bale. "It's been a great season for me and the final is a great way to finish it off. I can't wait."