Lambert, who won two promotions at Saints, believes the dressing room will be "buzzing" amid a 14-game unbeaten run which has lifted them to sixth.

But the St Mary's still have to face promotion hopefuls Wrexham, Derby and Ipswich following Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Former England striker Lambert believes this is an exciting time for the club, which he helped propel from League One to the Premier League.

"I was hoping Saints were going to be that team in form by this stage of the season and they are," he told the Daily Echo.

Rickie Lambert scored for Saints Legends (Image: Stuart Martin/Southampton FC)

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"It could have been one of many teams, but it's Southampton and that dressing room will be in a great place right now. They will be buzzing.

"This is the place you want to be in your career, across your whole career. I'm excited for them. They're still in the FA Cup, too. It's a brilliant time."

Promotion seemed like a distant possibility when...