Source: PA
McMenemy: Saints must back Pardew
Former Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy has urged the club to give Alan Pardew greater assurances over his future.
Saints are seventh going into the final game of the League One campaign and would have been in the play-off places had they not begun the season with a 10-point deduction.
The club recently declined to comment on speculation that Pardew's job was under threat, but McMenemy believes chairman Nicola Cortese, who is reportedly unhappy that the club missed out on the play-offs, needs to give more backing to the former West Ham boss.
McMenemy admits Pardew "will be in demand" from other clubs and he told the Daily Echo: "I just think he (Pardew) needs to be assured by everybody that they are right behind him. The supporters have already done that."
Meanwhile, Wayne Thomas, Lee Holmes and Ryan Doble have all returned to training ahead of the final-day clash against Southend.
Oscar Gobern will undergo hip surgery later this week, but fellow youngster Jack Boyle is making good progress in his recovery from similar surgery. Graeme Murty could return to training in the near future as he is ahead of schedule following ankle reconstruction.
