FORMER Saint Danny Higginbotham is back at St Mary's today - glad to be appreciated again and not minding any abuse that comes his way.

The versatile northerner is almost hoping the fans who used to cheer him decide to jeer him instead.

Higginbotham, sold to Stoke by George Burley back in August, saw how fellow central defender Michael Duberry was inspired by the abuse thrown at him by his former Leeds fans last weekend.

"If I'm honest," says Higginbotham. "I'm not bothered what happens. I've moved on and so if they boo me, they boo me.

"I had a good rapport with the fans, but I've moved on now and feel as much at home at Stoke as I did down there.

"Southampton is a distant memory.

"Michael Duberry was booed at Leeds and he thrived on it to give a good performance.

"If they boo you, it usually means you did well and they didn't want you to go.

"You don't mind a bit of abuse now and then - it just adds to the entertainment."

Higginbotham was sold to Stoke not long after he had been placed on the transfer list back in July.

"It will be nice to play at Southampton again - good luck to them," said the man who made 106 league and cup appearances for Saints after joining from Derby for £1.5m in January 2003.

"It was an abrupt end for me really, and it will be strange to go back.

"I certainly have no regrets leaving - you can't afford to have regrets.