"Our Christmas games are all tough ones - a local derby followed by a match against one of the form teams in the league.

"It will be a very hard game. I have come across Alan's teams before and they are always well organised and he is a wily old dog.

"He will take some working out, but they will know that our stadium is a tough place to come. 

"I saw them against Norwich in the cup and they have got some resilience in their side and can beat anybody."

The match against the Saints will be the U's manager's twentieth game in charge, having arrived at the end of August to fill the vacant managerial position.

And Aidy admitted that he is looking forward to the game, following his U's debut in a 0-0 draw at the St Mary's Stadium.

"The match at their stadium was my first game and so it will a good time for me to look back on my first game and get something of a half term report in my own mind.

"It will give me an idea of how far we have come compared to where we wanted to be and where we want to get to next."

Tickets are still available for this game and the Ticket Office will be open from 10am on Monday.