It is forever a privilege to wear the Saints shirt, and I always enjoy the opportunity to play alongside my former colleagues.
I’m not sure how many minutes I’ve got in my legs. As I write this, I feel as if I could only manage five minutes, but I’m sure I’ll feel much better when I step onto the grass.
But with that being said, the guys my age will need some of the younger guys to do extra running, and the prospect of Antonio Valencia bearing down on me is a tad daunting.
We may need Victor Wanyama to tie things together for us in the middle of the pitch, and I know Jo Tessem is still a tidy player.
Wanyama is fondly remembered in these parts after his spell at St Mary’s, and seeing him playing for Saints again will be a good occasion.
Andrew Surman, who came through towards the end of my playing days, has not long retired either, and is still on the pitch most days with the under-18s.
While these games are exhibitions, there is always a player or two in the dressing room shouting about how important it is to win.
It is always nice to win a game of football, no matter the format, but I am always mindful that you are there to have fun and entertain those in attendance.
But when you throw a bunch of ex-professionals together on a football pitch, it can become quite feisty again. I’m sure it will be played in good spirit.
I’m certainly not planning on getting myself sent off – I think I’ve mellowed too much for that. I’m not as full on as I was a few decades ago.
And while I miss Saints games during the international break, they do afford the club an opportunity to put on events like these.
This game is part of the club’s wider 50th anniversary celebrations marking our FA Cup win in 1976, with some proceeds from ticket sales going to those players.
I think that’s a brilliant initiative. Our heroes of 76 did not play at a time when footballers were financially compensated as they are now.
If the money raised from this game and the wider celebrations this year can help them just a little bit, then that is fantastic.
For the current players, the international break has come at the wrong time, and the correct time in equal measure.
That might sound like a silly thing to say. I’ve contradicted myself with that statement, but there is an argument for both.
After a 14-game unbeaten run, the players will want to be playing today. When you are part of a winning team, you want the next game to come quickly.
However, the Championship schedule is brutal, and you won’t find many players in the division who would turn down the chance to recharge their batteries.
That is not to say the break is time to turn off. I’m sure those still at Staplewood will be working on little bits ahead of the Championship run-in.
But a little bit of distance from games can be so beneficial to your body and your mind, plus we got ourselves into a position to enjoy this break.
With seven league games and a FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal to go, we need as many players fit and available as possible.
This break has afforded Leo Scienza time to get fit, while Welington and Jay Robinson could be back in time for Arsenal, too.
I hope to see many of you at St Mary’s this afternoon for what promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Why not come along and get your football fix?