West Hamvs.Southampton

While Albert Gronbaek and Charlie Taylor remain sidelined with respective tendon and hip injuries, Paul Onuachu is doubtful with an ankle problem and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

However, the Saints will be boosted by the return of former West Ham man Flynn Downes, who has now served a two-match suspension and is likely to return in midfield at the expense of either Mateus Fernandes or Lesley Ugochukwu.

Interim boss Simon Rusk is expected to stick with a three-man backline of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens, protecting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, while Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning are the most likely duo to operate as wing-backs.

Amidst speculation over a big-money summer exit, exciting teenager Tyler Dibling has begun as a substitute in two of Southampton's last three games, including last weekend's 3-0 loss at home to Aston Villa, but the attacker could be recalled to the first XI against West Ham.

Dibling and either Fernandes or Kamaldeen Sulemana could be tasked with providing support in the final third for Cameron Archer, who is expected to lead the line if Onuachu is not fit to start.

Southampton possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Fernandes, Dibling; Archer

Written by

Oliver Thomas