Saints striker surplus

Last updated : 09 January 2002 By Christian Kelly

Combined with the signings of Ormerod and Delgado, the form of Beattie and Pahars will undoubtedly result in some casualties in the Saints squad: Uwe Rosler has joined German First Division side Unterhaching on a free transfer.

Rosler was an excellent professional but could only manage one goal in 24 games for Southampton.

Dani Rodrigues is hoping to make his loan move to Bristol City permanent. "If Southampton do not offer me a new contract, I will move on, and there is no club I would rather join than Bristol City.

"I already feel at home there and I hope the team can maintain their recent run of good form."

Dani looked to be making his way into first team contention before breaking his leg. Unfortunately his previous spell on loan at Bristol City resulted in a second break from which he has only recently recovered. That Dani feels so warmly about the club despite such a blow speaks volumes for City's approach. "Danny Wilson has been great since the day I first broke my leg", said Dani." He's kept in constant touch, always wondering how I'm getting on. It's that sort of encouragement that makes me love the place and it will be a special moment when I can hit the net for the first time."

Although looking for his first professional goal, ani knows it won't be long in coming. He said: "It was a big disappointment for me to hear the QPR game was called off because I'd been expecting to play some part and was really looking forward to it.

"I'd only got back from visiting friends and family in Portugal two days before the game but I was feeling fit and raring to go. I've been feeling really good about things and scoring those three goals for Southampton's reserves had given me a big lift.

"I've really missed the sport; the excitement of the games and the emotion of the crowd. I really can't wait to get my first big-match goal."

Rodrigues added: "I've been in England for four years now so I'm ready to score. I'd been hoping to get it the first time I was with Bristol City and it didn't happen.

"Hopefully it will happen soon because I want to know what it feels like to celebrate and hear the crowd going wild. I feel the fans at City want it too for me, which is nice.

"I really don't know what's going to happen with the contract at Southampton but Bristol City is one of the first clubs on my list; I feel quite at home here."