LEON BEST has told Saints fans not to take it personally if he celebrates the goal that puts them in the bottom three of the Championship.

Best has not scored in six starts since netting his seventh goal of the season in Chris Coleman's first game in charge at the Ricoh Arena a month ago.

But he expects to lead the line in his first return to St Mary's this afternoon since former Coventry boss Iain Dowie signed him on a free transfer in the summer.

The 21-year-old booked Saints a play-off berth with his last St Mary's goals - a brace in the 4-1 win against Southend on the final day of last season A goal for Best at the home of his former employers this afternoon would leave them perilously close to a second relegation in four seasons.

But the striker who Saints signed as a schoolboy from Notts County in 2004 is more concerned with staying in the Championship as a Coventry City player.

"I haven't got a clue what reception I'll get. It could go either way but, if I score, I will celebrate an important goal for me and Coventry City - not because it's at St Mary's against Southampton," he insisted.

"It's a massive game for both sides."

"But I've got good memories of Southampton.

"There's been banter flying around between me and Darren Powell, Adam Lallana, Simon Gillett and Andrew Surman all week!

"Powelly took me under his wing at Southampton.

"He was like an older brother to me and is a very nice guy, as well as being a quality defender.

"Every manager would want him in their team but hopefully I can get the better of him this weekend."

Best's last act in a Southampton shirt was to miss the first penalty in the shoot-out defeat against Derby County that denied Saints a place in the playoff final.

He moved to Coventry two months later.

"I don't regret how things worked out," he insists.

"Life's a gamble and a constant learning curve.

"Everything that hurts makes you stronger and everyone misses penalties - even Andriy Shevchenko."

Best has already scored more goals for Coventry (seven in 34 appearances) than he did for Saints (four in 19).

"I'd like a few more but I'm playing on my own up front," he explained.

"It's the first time I've done that at this level, so it's just a matter of getting used to the formation.

"But we're getting there. Jay Tabb and Michael Mifsud have been playing outside me on the wings and the manager has seen what I've contributed.

"It's never easy playing as a lone striker - when Everton lose Andy Johnson, Yakubu is not nearly as prolific.

"But I've been holding the ball up and have brought others into the game.

"We've been grinding out the last few performances and have kept a lot of clean sheets recently, so I'm sure the goals will come."

After loan spells at QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Bournemouth and Yeovil while at Saints, Best is now playing under the NINTH manager of his career.

"Steve Wigley was very good for me," he continued.

"He understood me having brought me to the club from Nottingham and Paul Sturrock also liked the way I played.

"He helped me with my football and is a very good manager.

"George Burley gave me a chance but I was in and out of the team under him, so I wanted to move on.

"It was the right time to move nearer my family.

Chris Coleman hasn't been here long but when he speaks we listen.

"He's a strong-minded manager who I can learn a lot from.