SAINTS SPY ON EGYPTIAN

The Saints, who already have Moroccans Hassan Kachloul and Tahar El Khalej on their books, have been keeping tabs on the Egyptian Player of the Year.

"I want to play in a serious championship," said the 21-year-old. "My dream is to play in The Premiership."

Saeid is a defender whose reputation is growing in Africa, and he will be looking to impress Hoddle if he obtains the opportunity to train with the South Coast outfit.

Other clubs are believed to be monitoring the player`s position.

Meanwhile, long-serving Saints stopper Francis Benali has admitted that he could be on the way out of The Dell.

The 32-year-old, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, feels he may be surplus to requirements under Hoddle.

"It's a great shame but you have to know when to move on," he stated. 

"I can't see myself ever getting back in at Southampton, unless it's for a game here and there, and, at my age, that is no good to me.

"Things change quickly in football having been on the staff at Southampton for some 16 years.

"But I have really enjoyed it at Forest and, at the end of my month on loan, if something can be sorted out, I would like to stay."

(Photo courtesy of official Al Ahly website)