Fulhamvs.Southampton

The Saints are expected to confirm the appointment of Ivan Juric as their new head coach imminently, but as things stand, Simon Rusk will remain in control of the reins for this weekend's clash.

Rusk undertook pre-match media duties on Friday and confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale might be in contention to return from his finger injury, while Kyle Walker-Peters should also be OK to play after missing Wednesday's 2-1 EFL Cup quarter-final loss to Liverpool.

A fit-again Ramsdale will no doubt displace Alex McCarthy in goal, but with Jack Stephens serving the fourth and final game of his ban, Nathan Wood should link arms with Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis at the back.

Walker-Peters's return to fitness might spell the end of Ryan Manning's stint on the left-hand side, and an alteration could also occur on the opposite flank, as Yukinari Sugawara seeks to demote James Bree to the bench.

Changes ought to be limited further up the field, though, as Mateus Fernandes and Flynn Downes are midfield mainstays, while the in-demand Tyler Dibling should strut his stuff in the final third too.

Scorer of a fine consolation against Liverpool, Cameron Archer could join forces with Adam Armstrong in the final third, unless Paul Onuachu does enough to force his way in.

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Armstrong; Archer

Written by

Ben Knapton