The gaffer has praised his strikers and is hopeful of seeing a full complement of attacking options tomorrow.
Saturday's hosting of Leeds United at St. Mary's could be the first time that Pardew has all four of his forwards available to choose from if he selects David Connolly in his squad.
"It's a possibility that he could play," the manager revealed. "He's had ten days of training with no reaction. He couldn't possibly play ninety minutes, but in terms of impact for a short period then I'll think he'll be available, but whether I choose him over one or two of the other good professionals that train here I don't know yet.
"One thing he's got is class and if you're a Southampton fan I think they've always associated class players with this Club. We've got some in this team but it's nice to have another one. He can produce a goal out of nothing, a simple goal or an ugly one and we've missed him. The away games that we drew, if we had him I honestly think that if we'd had him we would have won at least one of those games and that makes a big difference to us.
"We have missed him, but Lee Barnard has come in and took a couple of games to settle, but now looks terrific, so we've got a nice option there and we've got Papa Waigo who's playing particularly well through the middle now which means we've got a nice foursome there which makes our bench look a lot stronger."
 Connolly could return this weekend but is not guaranteed a place in the side |
Pardew is determined not to undo the hard work that has taken his side to where they are and is only looking to make minor tweaks to the team.
"The group has sort of set itself, you could ask any fan what they think the team would be and it wouldn't be too dissimilar to what we play on Saturday so it's beginning to take shape.
"I've got a good team, a good staff and the squad is growing I can see it is and feel it is, but now we're after the one thing that we need which is that consistency within the first team which I think will come.
"This isn't about David Connolly this weekend, it's about the starting eleven who have been terrific, they really have. David's still got a little bit of work to get in this team so he's got to be 100 per cent, but of course if he is involved on Saturday then I have the option for a piece of magic at the end of the game when he might do something.
"We've not had them all available at the same time, so I'm hoping in this last period we can keep everyone fit and that the competition will come to fruition, as it has with Radhi Jaidi.
"For Radhi, his performances have been without a shadow of a doubt improved since the addition of Dan Seaborne. He's kept Seaborne out of the team and he's been our best player, because that's what competition can do if you approach it in the right manner.
"Even Rickie Lambert has to be on his toes now, whereas before he was without a doubt on that teamsheet, but now he's under pressure so everybody has to step up to the plate."
