10/4/02: Bridge to relax off field commitments

Having been an ever-present figure in the Saints side over the last two seasons, Gordon Strachan is aware that England International Wayne Bridge could burn himself out. Wayne hasn't been up to his usual standard in the last few games, although that could be due to adequate cover in front of him. Regardless, a rest is long overdue, even if it's just to be taken off at some point in the remaining fixtures. Strachan said: "It's for the lad - not for England. We're going to look after Wayne on and off the field between now and the end of the season, don't worry about that.

"It's an exciting period in his career so we're going to make sure everything's right for him. We've got to give his body and his brain a rest. I don't know if he'll get the kind of rest where he doesn't play first-team games, but we're going to really relax him between the matches.

"We're going to curtail his media work and curtail his work on the training ground, to make sure that he's fit if picked."

More good news is that Saints fans should get to see the return of Francis Benali to the side, Only Bridge's superb run has kept him out and he deserve a few games at least as a sub.