Bartosz Bialkowski insists he is ready to step into the breach on Saturday in the absence of Kelvin Davis.

The Polish shot stopper has endured a testing time waiting in the wings for a run in the first team and now wants to show everyone what he can do at Saints, starting this weekend at Northampton.

"I am looking forward to it," he smiled. "Apart from Charlton a couple of weeks ago it's a long time since I played for Southampton, because that was not the same. This is a big chance for me to show what I can do.

"I will just do my best and prepare in the right way, I want to play well and save every shot because that's my job.

"It's been frustrating for me because I train so hard in every single session so that I can play in first team games. It's been so long I'm just happy to play football again."

It is almost four years since Bialkowski was forced off the pitch with cruciate ligament damage at St. James' Park in an F.A Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle United. Since that time, the recovery and form of other goalkeepers have limited the 22 year-old's number of games at St. Mary's, but the 'keeper bears no grudges and is just out to make up for lost time.

"I played in the F.A Cup against Newcastle and that was a great experience for me. I really enjoyed that, but more importantly it's now time to show the gaffer what I can do. That's gone now I don't think about it, it was a bad moment for me as I was only 18 and playing well, but it happens in football, you get injuries and you just have to concentrate on games.

"It's been a long time now since that game, the knee is fine and I am fully fit, so I am ready to play.

"I'm really happy in Southampton," he continued. "I've enjoyed my time here and I just want to play games. A lot has changed from when I first arrived, we are now in League One, but we have a great chairman with ambitions to put us back into the Premier League which is where I think this club really deserves to be.

"We have improved in nearly every aspect. The gaffer is spot on, he's a very good guy who manages well and I think everyone has improved including me in his short time here."

The youngster also revealed that the form of the man he is replacing between the posts has made it difficult for him to dislodge the club captain as the team's number one, but is aiming to give the manager a headache between now and the time Davis returns.

"Kelvin is probably the best goalkeeper in the league and possibly the Championship as well so it's very hard for me to get past him and play some games. Now that I have my opportunity though, I aim to show the gaffer that I can play at this level regularly.

"Kelvin and I are good friends. He's a really top guy and he has helped me a lot in the past few years.

"It is up to the gaffer to decide when we're both fit who the number one is, but I will do my best to make my mark in goal for Southampton.

"That's why I train so hard in every session, and I'm happiest when I play football so I'm looking forward to it."