Southampton

MS footballer to finish marathon
A former England footballer who suffers from multiple sclerosis is due to complete the London Marathon. Danny Wallace's soccer career ended when he was struck down with the neurological condition 10 years ago. The 44-year-old ex-Manchester United and Southampton player has taken six days to complete the 26.2 mile route. Former boxer Michael Watson, who completed the marathon in seven days in 1991 after being in a coma following a fight, will greet him at the finish. Wallace has taken part in the marathon to raise money for the Danny Wallace Foundation which researches multiple sclerosis and helps sufferers. Castle completes Next year he wants to secure several places for the charity. Wallace is not the last person to finish the marathon - Lloyd Scott is walking the marathon dressed as St George wearing a full suit of armour and towing an 8ft dragon. He is expecting to take eight days to reach the finish line. On Thursday Lynn Aston, who has to take oxygen 24-hours-a-day due to a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, completed the marathon. And on Friday, former tennis player and GMTV host Andrew Castle finished his run after collapsing at the 25-mile point on the day of the race. He blamed a lack of food on his inability to finish on Sunday.

Southampton v Leicester
Defender Darren Kenton is Southampton's main injury doubt as he struggles with a calf injury. Midfielder Djamel Belmadi is still struggling with an Achilles problem but David Prutton hopes to feature for the first time since January. Leicester's Australian defender Patrick Kisnorbo is suspended while Stephen Hughes will carry an ankle knock. James Wesolowski is out after failing to recover from his second broken leg of the season.

Lowe will not step down at Saints
Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe insists he will still be at the St Mary's helm for the start of the next Championship season. Lowe has come under fire from new investor Leon Crouch who bought a 10 per cent share in the club last month. And despite having an increased offer for his shares, Lowe told the club's website: "I expect to be chairman at the start of next season. "I have the support of the majority of the board," the chairman added. Saints fans have become disgruntled with Lowe this season following their relegation to the Championship last season but it is criticism he has dealt with throughout his time at the club. He said: "I have been in the firing line for 10 years and I will just march on. When you encounter adversity, you don't give up. "I have had to suffer criticism from the fans in the same way that Terry Brown did at West Ham and they won promotion and are now in the Cup final. People think they can do better or know someone who can do better. "I am a long-term planner and I make no apology for that. And sometimes long-term thinkers can be criticised in the short-term. "We have a great future to look forward to and if there are some remnants of dissatisfaction then I am sure that will disappear next season when we are pushing for promotion."

Southampton 2-0 Leicester
Youngster Andrew Surman inspired Southampton to only their ninth home win of the season at St Mary's. Nathan Dyer hit the post early on for the Saints, before the 19-year-old Surman crossed for Ricardo Fuller to open the scoring on 22 minutes. The Foxes had barely drawn breath before Fuller set up Surman, who confidently converted from 12 yards. The one sour note was an injury to Southampton's Claus Lundekvam, who had to be replaced by Martin Cranie. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton manager George Burley: "We've been playing well and I am looking forward to next season when the target will be the top six. "I am looking to strengthen the squad, but I am pleased with the way we finished the season. "That was our fifth win in six matches and it showed our fans that we are starting to show signs of improvement." Leicester manager Rob Kelly: "At one stage I was fearing we might let in four or five, and if we had a fault it was that we tried to play when we should have made it ugly. "The players and supporters did not deserve to lose in that way but we came out in the second half with credit. "When I took over in January, the aim was simply to avoid relegation, and we have done that." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton: Miller, Ostlund, Lundekvam (Cranie 84), Baird, Bale, Dyer, Wright, Potter (Prutton 75), Surman, Fuller (Jones 81), Rasiak. Subs Not Used: Smith, McGoldrick. Booked: Dyer. Goals: Fuller 22, Surman 25. Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, McCarthy, Johansson, Tiatto (Hammond 81), Maybury, Williams (Sylla 45), Hughes, Welsh (O'Grady 61), Hume, Fryatt. Subs Not Used: Douglas, Gerrbrand. Booked: McCarthy, Johansson. Att: 26,801. Ref: M Fletcher (Worcestershire). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Play-off semi-final dates: First legs Leeds v Preston (Elland Road, Friday, 5 May, 1945 BST) Crystal Palace v Watford (Selhurst Park, Saturday, 6 May, 1215 BST) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Second legs Preston v Leeds (Deepdale, Monday, 8 May, 1945 BST) Watford v Crystal Palace (Vicarage Road, Tuesday 9 May, 1945 BST) Play-off dates for other divisions to be confirmed

Saints agree £2m deal for Rasiak
Southampton have signed striker Grzegorz Rasiak for £2m from Tottenham. The 27-year-old Poland international has been on loan at St Mary's Stadium since February, teaming up with his former Derby manager George Burley. He has agreed a four-year deal at Saints after hitting four goals in 12 games since his move. "I have enjoyed myself here, I am happy and I think I have done OK so far," said Rasiak, who will formally seal the move when the transfer window opens. "The team is playing much better and it is looking good for next season. "I am very happy here and want to stay longer - and it has been good preparation for the World Cup which I am now looking forward to."

Southampton clinch Academy title
Southampton's under-18s have clinched the Premier Academy League title after a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa. The club has built a solid reputation for producing quality youngters in recent years, including World Cup-bound Arsenal wonderkid Theo Walcott. And the Saints' success makes up for last year's FA Youth Cup final defeat. Coach George Prost said: "It was important to have this achievement because the lads have played lovely football all year and have earned it." The Frenchman was keen to praise his backroom team and added: "My colleague, Malcom Elias, has worked hard recruiting young players. "And the players and coaches all have worked so hard on the training pitch. This is a reward they can all enjoy."

More pressure on Lowe at Saints
Rupert Lowe's future as chairman of Southampton is in doubt after the club's largest shareholder called an extraordinary general meeting. Property tycoon Michael Wilde, who owns 13% of the club shares, has proposed the removal of the club's board. Lowe has long been under pressure at St Mary's, with Wilde and new investor Leon Crouch urging him to step down. The meeting, which must convene within 21 days, will propose businessman Ken Dulieu as the new chairman. Other men being put forward for the new board include Southampton-based construction tycoon Patrick Trant. And Jim Hone will be proposed as chief executive - a position he previously held at Fulham Football Club. Lowe has previously maintained that he has no intention of stepping down, claiming he has "the support of the majority of the board". However, Wilde insists his move is not with a view to a takeover bid, and has distanced himself from links to the Andrew Strode-Gibbons consortium hoping to buy the club.

Wilkinson backs Woodward return
Jonny Wilkinson has called for Sir Clive Woodward to be appointed as England's elite performance director. The World Cup-winning coach is working as football director at Southampton FC but Wilkinson believes Woodward should be brought back to rugby. "It is rare for me to go public with an opinion on an issue as political as this," Wilkinson told the Times. "But I am happy on this occasion to urge (England governing body) the RFU to go for Sir Clive Woodward." The Rugby Football Union restructured England's coaching team following the Six Nations. Three new assistant coaches - John Wells, Mike Ford and Brian Ashton - and creating the role of elite director of rugby. Wilkinson, who kicked the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, added: "I believe he has the skills to do the job well. "Indeed his particular strengths from his time as England coach are the very credentials that would transfer into his new role. "Where Clive was so good was his foresight and his ability to understand the next move forward. "If he was allowed to plan again for England, I believe we could move back to where we were, half a step ahead of the game instead of half a step behind." New England backs coach Ashton also endorsed Woodward's credentials. "He's been up there, he's won a World Cup," Ashton told Sir Stanley "He's got the management skills required to sort out all the problems that exist off the field. "If he's got the will to do it, he can, it's as simple as that."

Saints wait on Oakley appearance
Matthew Oakley's future at Southampton is in doubt after the midfielder failed to return to pre-season training. Oakley is a free agent after his contract expired and he is yet to accept a new one-year deal on offer. The 28-year-old is Saints longest-serving player, having come through the ranks at the club. Boss George Burley told Saints website: \"He wasn't here and that's his prerogative, but we need to know what his thoughts are.\"

Wright seals Southampton switch
Southampton have completed the signing of midfielder Jermaine Wright from Championship rivals Leeds United on a free transfer. The 30-year-old spent the final four months of last season on loan at St Mary's, making 14 appearances. He has now agreed a permanent switch following his release from Elland Road. Wright, who also played under George Burley at Ipswich, has signed a two-year deal and becomes the Saints manager's fourth summer signing. Burley had already captured Grzegorz Rasiak, Marcelo Sarmiento and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Saints set to net Czech ace Licka
Southampton are set to sign Czech midfielder Mario Licka after a trial spell with the Saints. Licka, 24, is out of contract at FC Slovacko and after receiving international clearance has impressed in training and friendly matches Saints manager George Burley said: \"He has showed good energy and worked hard and we are talking to him about a permanent deal. \"He's a young player and we hope to tie things up in the next few days.\"

Burley says Walcott wrong to move
Southampton manager George Burley feels Theo Walcott's career has gone backwards since he left the Saints for Arsenal in January. Walcott joined Arsenal for £12.5m but the 17-year-old has barely played since and he endured a frustrating time with England at the World Cup. \"For me, career-wise, it was the wrong choice for Theo to leave,\" said Burley. \"I think he's played one-and-a-half reserve games since he left Southampton in January.\" Burley took over at Southampton in December 2005 and promised Southampton fans that Walcott was central to his plans. But the club were left with no choice when a then 16-year-old Walcott demanded to leave. Burley said: \"It was a difficult situation when we sold him because there was nothing Southampton could do. \"He was a 16-year-old and he could walk out of the club any time he wanted to, so you are governed by that. \"Given the choice between Walcott and the money we'd have kept the boy, but you've got to go and reinvest when it's done. \"When the player and his representatives and his parents are saying they want to go to Arsenal, there's nothing you can do. \"If I were his parents I would have let him stay at Southampton, let him mature, give him time, and then let him move along.\" Former Ipswich boss Burley added: \"I remember telling Richard Wright when I was at Ipswich before he moved to Arsenal that he needed another season to progress at Ipswich. \"But he went and nobody's heard of him for the last five years. \"If you move too early to a big club then it can be detrimental to your career. \"They sometimes get loaned out and you're never sure of their development. \"I hope it doesn't happen to Theo. He's a smashing lad, I know his dad well, but I think they are taking a big gamble when maybe you don't need to take a gamble.\" Burley also thinks that Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to take him to the World Cup has not helped Walcott's career. Eriksson picked Walcott ahead of the likes of the more experienced Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent but chose not to use him at all in Germany. Burley added: \"Managers chose what they think is right, but players have to earn the right to get into the team. \"I'm sure there are one or two disappointed strikers out there who had earned the right and didn't get the opportunities for the World Cup. \"Personally I don't think it's done him any good because everybody has been talking about him. \"It's not the boy's fault he got chosen or that he has not played Premiership football. \"I feel for the boy a little bit because I think it was undue pressure he was under and I hope he kicks on. \"He's a very dedicated boy and a strong character and I'm sure he'll come through. \"Because given the right education, playing-wise he will be tops.\"

Southampton sign Viafara & Licka
John Viafara has moved along the south coast from Southampton to Portsmouth. The 27-year-old Colombian international midfielder has joined Saints in a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, although it is reported to be £750,000. Boss George Burley said: \"He is good in the air, very energetic and I'm sure he will give our midfield extra balance.\" Czech midfielder Mario Licka, 24, has also signed after a trial. \"He has good pedigree and we were fortunate to get him on a Bosman free,\" Burley added. \"I am delighted to have got both of these players who will give us extra options and cover in midfield. \"Viafara is a player I've been aware of since he went to Portsmouth. He's a regular international and was a regular when he first went to Pompey. \"He's very competitive, he can defend and is a good box-to-box player. \"Mario played three games on trial and did very well. \"He's an attacking midfielder with bags of energy. He is technically accomplished, comfortable on the ball and he loves to get forward.\" The pair will be eligible to face Derby on Sunday subject to international clearance. Former Pompey boss Alain Perrin signed Viafara from Colombian outfit Once Caldas in July 2005. However, he failed to figure in current manager Harry Redknapp's plans and he had a spell on loan at Real Sociedad last season.

Derby v Southampton
Derby are expected to give new signing Steve Howard his debut. The midfielder has recovered from an ankle strain and means new County boss Billy Davies will be selecting from a fully-fit squad. Southampton will parade a host of debutants with Kelvin Davis, Pele, Marcelo Sarmiento and Bradley Wright-Phillips pushing for starts. Fellow new boys John Viafara and Mario Licka have got international clearance but Rudi Skacel is short of fitness.

Derby 2-2 Southampton
Substitute Paul Peschisolido salvaged a draw for Derby with a dramatic late leveller to cap an entertaing match. County dominated the opening 45 and deserved their lead from Seth Johnson's strike after Steve Howard's knockdown. But after the break Southampton stepped it up and Gareth Bale drew them level with a wonderful, curling free-kick. Former Ram Grzegorz Rasiak played in substitute Bradley Wright-Phillips who rifled in a fierce shot for Saints before Peschisolido's 90th-minute goal. The hosts looked to have run out of ideas and puff before Peschisolido arrowed a low shot into the corner of the net. Inigo Idiakez had seen a shot beaten away by Kelvin Davies and Howard was unable to get enough power in his header from a Giles Barnes cross. Barnes, on his 18th birthday, showed some delightful touches, particularly in the first half as Derby ran the show in their first competitive match under Billy Davies. But Barnes was soon overshadowed by another of the Championship's brightest young prospects - 17-year-old Bale. His left-footed free-kick beat Lee Camp's despairing dive and set Saints on the road to what looked like an opening win to their Championship campaign. And after Wright-Phillips had put Southampton in front on his debut they had chances for a third, most notably when the former Manchester City striker's square pass to Rasiak was cut out by Darren Moore. And Peschisolido's goal added insult to injury for George Burley's team who also saw Claus Lundekvam and Ricardo Fuller go off injured. Lundekvam, sent off on the first day of last season, last six minutes into this one before going off with a badly swollen ankle and a blow to the head. Striker Fuller pulled his hamstring six minutes into the second half.

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