Southampton could be missing up to four players for Saturday’s Premier League match against Ipswich Town at St Mary’s.
After being sent off in Southampton’s 3-0 home loss to Manchester United last Saturday, defender Jack Stephens will serve the second of a three-match ban.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) stays out indefinitely, while Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle) and Will Smallbone (hamstring) are both doubtful and will be evaluated before kickoff.
Alex McCarthy was Southampton’s hero in his 150th appearance for the club in midweek, making the game-winning save in a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Everton in the EFL Cup third round, but he will be replaced by Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored in regular time during that match at Goodison Park and is the most probable contender to replace the suspended Stephens at centre-back, potentially partnering Yukinari Sugawara, Jan Bednarek, and Kyle Walker-Peters in the back four.
Flynn Downes is expected to replace Adam Lallana in central midfield, while 18-year-old Tyler Dibling might replace Maxwel Cornet on the right flank, while Russell Martin will decide whether to play Cameron Archer or Adam Armstrong in attack alongside Ben Brereton Diaz.
Southampton’s likely starting lineup: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Downes, Ugochukwu; Dibling, Fernandes; Brereton Diaz, Archer
Leave a Reply