JAMES Beattie still has a lot of time and feeling for his hometown club Blackburn Rovers - even though he was hoping to put a king-sized dent in their Premiership survival prospects this afternoon.

And, unlike many of the Beattie clan of family and friends expected to descend on The Dell in numbers this afternoon, the young striker doesn't have any divided loyalties.

To the Blackburn boy who came up through the Ewood ranks to earn a £1 million move to Southampton at the tender age of 20 the situation is simple - if Rovers have to go down to save Saints, so be it.

Beattie, who was desperately hoping to get the nod from Dell boss David Jones to start this afternoon, is still baffled as to what the club he supported and then represented are doing in the relegation quicksand just above the Nationwide League.

And, looking at their remaining games, he is not sure they will finish above his present team.

"I don't know why Blackburn are down there," he said.

"They have spent a lot of money but they are still in trouble.

"I would like to see them staying up but, if it's between us and them, then it's got to be us.

"Blackburn are struggling and they have got a hard run-in. I would rather have ours than theirs.

"When I left Blackburn I thought they would be higher up the table.

"They have brought in a lot of quality players but they have had a few injuries and have now lost Matt Jansen and Chris Sutton for the season.

"I know Matt Jansen from the under-21s and he's a good player. He will be a big loss, as will Chris Sutton."

Southampton's sizzling home form since the turn of the year has kept the escape hatch open for them and Beattie said: "Our home form has been good lately but Blackburn seem to be struggling for results everywhere.

"Our away form means we are under pressure to win our home games, but we are a totally different side at The Dell.

"We seem to be more relaxed and our football is better.

"But I have no idea why."

This afternoon's game was the first of three against teams threatened by the drop and Rovers keeper John Filan said: "That's what you want, instead of playing the teams at the top.

"I am sure Southampton feel the same way. These are the games which can put a little bit of daylight between clubs.

"Our spirits are as high as they can be and everyone from the manager down is being positive. The atmosphere and attitude is as good as it could be.

"These are nervous times for a lot of clubs. Those who are positive are going to be the ones to get out of it and I can't think of any more positive club than us."

Remaining games, after today's clash,for Rovers and Saints:

ROVERS

April 24: Liverpool (home)

May 1: Charlton (away)

May 8: Nottingham Forest (home)

May 12: Manchester United (home)

May 16: Newcastle (away)

SAINTS

April 24: Derby (away)

May 1: Leicester (home)

May 8: Wimbledon (away)

May 16: Everton (home)

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