Veteran defender Colin Cooper warned yesterday Harry Redknapp's controversial south coast switch increases the odds against Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Redknapp takes charge of struggling Southampton for the first time as Boro look to press home their challenge for a Champions League place.

But Cooper, who almost joined Redknapp at West Ham a decade ago, emphasised how the manager's shock move to St. Mary's from bitter rivals Portsmouth could work against Boro.

"We had a good run of results and now we want another one - that's the sign of a good team, he said. "We won there last year and the same again would be brilliant but it will be hard.

"The arrival of a new manager means an immediate uplift for any team and that's what will happen.

"Harry is a terrific boss and it's a great job for him, even though there has beeen a lot of hoo-ha and the Portsmouth fans won't be too happy.

"He is one of the old school, a players' manager. Ten years ago he asked me to go to West Ham while I was at Forest but I was happy where I was.

"The clubs he has worked for have done well. He signs good players and they give that extra bit for him because he backs them and looks after them.

"Whichever way he's been doing the job it's the right way because he's been successful for a long time. It's a great signing by Southampton."

Cooper, who will be 38 before the season ends, is the third oldest player in the Premiership behind Everton's Nigel Martyn and Bolton's Les Ferdinand. He made his Boro debut 20 years ago but is hoping for another 12-month contract.

The centre-back has made nine appearances this season and is in line to start at Southampton with Ugo Ehiogu ruled out and Chris Riggott struggling with a hamstring injury.

"I'm the cover now and it's just a case of accepting things," he said. "The reality is I don't play unless people are injured and it's frustrating after making over 700 appearances. But at my age I'm happy to be here. I still play with the same passion and I'm ready when called upon.

"I've always played 30-40 games a season and been a player that managers picked first. But the truth is that playing fewer games in the last couple of seasons has probably lengthened my career. The manager says I'm still very much part of the squad, but I'm looking at the next stage and doing my badges in the summer."

Cooper believes Boro are still building under Steve McClaren and revealed: "He had a long-term plan when he came. It is still developing and will continue to do so because this club is going places.

"Boro used to be happy mid-table but he has brought a different kind of mentality."