SOUTHAMPTON'S defeat at Craven Cottage in Wednesday's FA Cup third round replay will be the basis of Steve Waywell's team talk as Leigh RMI bid for a Wembley day out via another route.

The Railwaymen, who went out of the FA Cup to Fulham after a replay at Hilton Park, entertain Southport tomorrow in the FA Umbro Trophy Third Round.

"I appreciate that results in the FA Cup can be one-off's and shocks do happen, but I do feel that Fulham's win over a Premiership side puts our games at Craven Cottage and at Hilton Park in perspective," says RMI boss Waywell.

"It proves that on our day we can compete with anyone and although Southport are from the Conference and were impressive when they beat us at home 2-0 in a pre-season friendly, I feel there is no reason why we can't make progress."

Waywell is hoping to be boosted by the return of midfield star Dave Ridings, who has been out for a month with a ligament injury in his back.

Tony Whealing and Steve Pickford are both back in contention but the line-up will revolve around midfield in general and Ridings in particular, with the defence and Neil Matthews and Keith Evans up front seemingly well established.

Waywell said: "Although we are unbeaten in seven I have not been happy with midfield and the chopping and changing doesn't help, we need to keep a settled side."

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