Injury crisis? what injury crisis ?

Saints will be far from full strength against West Ham. Several key players may be missing as Gordon Strachan faces a major injury crisis. Fortunately, many of the problems are minor, but a number of second stringers may be given the chance to impress. In the frame are Monk, Le Tissier, Davies, Tessem and Petrescu.
Saints current injury list is as follows, with Marsden suspended for the match.

James Beattie - Dislocated his ankle against Man Utd (13/1/02). Will be out for 2 months.
Matthew Oakley - Suffering from a bug. May miss West Ham.
Kleber Chala - Suffering forma bug. May miss West Ham game.
Marian Pahars- Neck problem. May miss West Ham.
Anders Svensson - Another victim of the bug. May miss West Ham.
Paul Telfer - Another neck problem. May miss West Ham.
Brett Ormerod - Out for three weeks with a knee injury.
Rory Delap - Calf Strain picked up against Liverpool(9/1/02). Not in training.
Claus Lundekvam - Another victim of the mystery bug. may miss West Ham.
Agustin Delgado - His knee injury is causing trouble again.
Mark Draper - A month away from full recovery from his knee operation.
Tahar E-Khalej - Shoulder injury in training(6/1/02). Back in training but not fully fit.
Stuart Ripley - Hamstring problem now a calf one. In light training.
Kevin Gibbens - Almost back after his knee operation.

Manager Gordon Strachan said: "Trying to pick a team has been near impossible," admitted the Saints boss.

"We are down to bare bones, but hopefully we will get two or three back for the game and the team will be more recognisable."

"It's not all doom and gloom. Even the guys who have got the virus had a couple of good days training in La Manga.

"I've had the virus, it's not nice, but it's amazing that you go along and can feel better in a couple of hours.

"So we are keeping our fingers crossed that we'll have one or two back for tonight."