FORMER Saints skipper Dean Hammond has backed his former side to win the Championship playoffs.

Hammond was a part of the Southampton side that achieved back-to-back promotion from League One into the Premier League between 2010 and 2012.

More recently, the 41 year old has taken up a coaching role at Worthing, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Vanarama National League earlier this month. 

He took that role having spent the first half of the season commentating on Southampton's Championship fixtures, which puts him in a good position to rate their chances of promotion.

"I've watched Southampton so many times this season and I've been so impressed by them," he told the Daily Echo.

"I've been impressed by the way they play, their unbeaten record and the mentality and determination they showed to come back from losing that.

"In a one-off game, Southampton will beat anyone in this division. I believe that and I think they have shown that.

"I am really confident for Saints heading into the playoffs. They have a really good manager, I really believe in Russell Martin.

"I'm really confident that Southampton can get promoted."