Leon Crouch has taken a swipe at Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde following reports the duo are lining up a bid to regain control of Southampton.

Lowe, who was chairman of Saints for 10 years, has contacted the current board over a shock return to the club he was forced out of in 2006 by Wilde - who then quit the position himself seven months later.

Current chairman Crouch, left to pick up the pieces after Wilde's resignation, has hit out at the timing of the move with Saints hovering just two points above the relegation zone and facing a crucial clash with Coventry on Saturday.

"The timing of this is horrendous. Why choose a moment when all shareholders and fans should be behind Nigel Pearson and the team and focusing on what is a massive game?" said Crouch.

"It is potentially one of the most important fixtures in the club's history and we need everyone to be united.

"This is not the time and place for division, we are interested only in winning this match and then picking up enough points to secure our place in the Championship for next season.

"Right now we need as many fans as possible to turn out and give the team their full backing and help us to a win which could mean so much."

Crouch is awaiting a more detailed proposal from Lowe who, like Wilde, retains a substantial shareholding in the club.

Team Talk / Eurosport