Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier says manager Nigel Adkins cannot afford to leave out Ricki Lambert against Tottenham.

Twice this term Lambert has been subbed in the second half of Premier League home clashes - against Manchester United and Fulham - and twice the Saints have blown winning positions.

Le Tissier told the Daily Star Sunday: "The whole stadium and the team seem to shrink when Rickie Lambert comes off.

"I think the manager underestimates the influence a player's personality can have on all those players around him.

"Without him, we lose impetus and momentum."