Saints will be without Mario Lemina for the trip to Brighton on Sunday, a big blow but there is still Oriol Romeu !

Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that Mario Lemina will miss the clash with Brighton after picking up an ankle injury in training although there is no news about the seriousness of it or how longe he will be out.

"Mario Lemina is injured this week,"

"He is the only player we'll lose this week."

"Sofiane is one possibility from the start, in the last two or three games he is playing well, even from the bench.

"I am happy with that, I want to improve the competition in the squad. Sofiane is a young lad and this action can give him more confidence to be better."

This is bad news for Saints supporters, although it is only a set back and not a terminal blow for the team, Oriol Romeu will step up to the plate after taking a back seat in recent weeks to Lemina, some would say that Romeu has not been in the best of form, but with Lemina in the team alongside him his role changes and his job is to mop up and hold the centre to allow his colleague to press forward.

This has been vital but Romeu was in fine form last season and again this when Lemina was not playing, although we would all prefer him to be fit it is not the end of the world.

It also allows the manager to consider more attacking options including Boufal but also others.

This is a winnable game and it will perhaps force Pellegrino to play an attacking formation and it could pay dividends.

Photo: Action Images

kenis added 15:49 - Oct 27 interesting choice. Hojbjerg hasn't been in a matchday squad for a while, but wouldn't mind seeing him come in alongside Romeu rather than just drop Davis back or JWP coming in out of position. I still think starting with two or all three of Tadic/Redmond/Boufal unbalances the team and there's only room for one of them as we should start with two out of Long/Gabbi/Austin. My team would be Forster Cedric-Yoshida-Virgil-Bertrand Romeu-Hoijberg Gabbi-Davis-Tadic Austin subs: McCarthy; Long; Boufal; Hoedt; JWP; Redmond; Targett or McQueen

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Sanguin added 17:20 - Oct 27 I can't see Hojberg starting, I'm not sure Boufal can deliver as well with a start rather than as an impact sub but he's earned a chance to try. I'm not sure who gets dropped for Boufal though, Redmond, Tadic or Long? Forster Cedric - Yoshida - VVD - Bertrand Romeu Davis Boufal - JWP - Tadic Gabbi
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skiptonsaint added 17:37 - Oct 27 What about VVD there and Hoedt in at centre half or play a back 3 of VVD , Hoedt and Yoshi and go 343 ? Or 352 ? Maybe this will force a change of system that makes us click
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kenis added 19:35 - Oct 27 Who would be your three midfielders in a 3-5-2? Romeu, Davis and one of Tadic/boufal/Redmond? With who upfront and Long? Could work but he’s not tried that had he? Just 3-4-3 for 45mins in cup vs wolves? I think we need 3 in the middle, 3/4/3 seems to only work with Kante doing the work of two people and a central target man...maybe Austin could do it but would be big risk to change the formation and personnel so much just to work around Lemina

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Justin33 added 19:38 - Oct 27 My team would be Forster Cedric-Yoshida-Virgil-Bertrand Romeu-Hoijberg Gabbi-Jwp-Boufal Austin subs: McCarthy; Long; Boufal; Hoedt; JWP; Redmond; Targett or McQueen
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Cjay80 added 20:59 - Oct 27 Forster Cedric, Hoedt, VVD, Bertrand Romeo Tadic, JWP, Boufal Gabbi, Austin 4-1-3-2 Play attacking from the off, early goal, kill them off with Long, Redmond and McQueen for the last 20. If only life were that simple hey? Trust in MoPel, cheer the lads, hope for 3pts.
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vanmans added 09:02 - Oct 28 God help us Justin33 has two JWP,S in the squad. One is to many.
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vanmans added 09:02 - Oct 28 God help us Justin33 has two JWP,S in the squad. One is to many.
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mbtsfc added 09:12 - Oct 28 Forster Cedric Hoedt VvD Bertrand Romeu Davis Tadic Boufal Long Gabbiadini Nasty smell over Brighton this morning........ must be all s*tting themselves thinking about Sunday? COYR&W
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aceofthebase added 09:44 - Oct 29 Yoshida has an eye for goal and likes to play as a forward or midfielder. He has the strength and aggression to be a similar player to Lemina so I would move him forward and play VVD and Hoedt at the back. I would also give a kick up the backside to both Cedric and Bertrand and get them to contribute more to attacking. Boufal must play a significant part in this game

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