Breaking news from Salisbury Crown Court is that Saints striker Lee Barnard has been cleared of assault.
After a four day trial held at Salisbury due to the Saints strikers lawyers arguing succesfully that he would not get a fair trial in Southampton, Lee Barnard has been cleared of the offence in the White house pub some 18 months ago.
It has been a tough time for Barnard who initially was sidelined due to injuries suffered in the incident and then after firing Saints to within sight of promotion from League 1 suffered a long term injury in the home game against Bristol Rovers last April that kept him out for most of the first half of the season, although in recent week's he has made the odd appearance off the bench.
Whilst its Barnard will be grateful for the not guilty verdict, he will look back on the incidents of the last 18 months and wonder whether this will ultimately cost him his Saints career, if the Club are promoted to the premier he will find himself a long way down the pecking order at St Mary's and might have to move on for reguiar football