Southampton are set to remain without Albert Gronbaek and Charlie Taylor for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at St Mary’s.
January signing Gronbaek is closing in on a return from an Achilles issue, but the midfielder will not recover in time to face the Citizens, while Taylor is nursing a hip injury.
Paul Onuachu recovered from an ankle problem to feature as a substitute in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Leicester City and the striker is in contention to replace Ross Stewart up front against Man City. Cameron Archer is also a candidate to lead the line.
Interim boss Simon Rusk seems settled on using Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mateus Fernandes in advanced roles just behind the central striker and both players are expected to start again this weekend, meaning in-demand Tyler Dibling may once again begin as a substitute.
William Smallbone and Joe Aribo will continue to push for a start in midfield, but Flynn Downes and Lesley Ugochukwu are the most likely duo to link arms in the middle of the pitch as Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning operate as wing-backs.
Man City academy graduate Taylor Harwood-Bellis is expected to retain his starting spot in the back three alongside Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens, protecting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks.
Southampton possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Fernandes, Sulemana; Onuachu
> Click here to see how Manchester City could line up for this contest
No Data Analysis info
