Southampton head coach Russell Martin has been handed a fresh injury concern ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The Saints finally earned their first top-flight win of the season at the 10th attempt last weekend, defeating Everton 1-0 at St Mary’s, but they lost Adam Lallana to a groin strain at half time.
Martin is keeping his fingers crossed that the ex-Liverpool man has not suffered a serious problem, but he will need to be assessed ahead of this crunch clash, as will Ryan Fraser (unspecified).
Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Will Smallbone (thigh) and Ross Stewart (calf) make up a trio of definite absentees for the Saints, but the former would not be in with a chance of displacing Aaron Ramsdale if his terrific display last weekend is anything to go by.
The former Arsenal shot-stopper should be protected by the same three centre-backs in Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens, but there is scope for an alteration out wide.
Yukinari Sugawara came off the bench to set up Adam Armstrong‘s winner against Everton, and the Japan international could now take Ryan Manning‘s spot as Kyle Walker-Peters moves out to the left-hand side.
Flynn Downes and Mateus Fernandes should pair up in the middle again, and after Joe Aribo was given the nod to come on for Lallana in the second half last weekend, the Nigerian is likely to come in from the first whistle this time around.
Armstrong’s spot in attack is safe after his crucial strike against Everton, and the 27-year-old could now operate as the central striker if Tyler Dibling pushes Cameron Archer down to the dugout.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Aribo, Dibling; Armstrong
