Preston North End have not won in five games and the chances of ending that bad run are not going to improve with the news that they could be without as many as five first team players when they take on Saints on Wednesday night.
Hampshire Live are reporting that Preston are in the middle of an injury crisis, after an unbeaten start to the season where they drew one and then won 6 games on the bounce they took just 2 points from the following 5 games.
So having as many as 5 first team regulars missing for the visit of Southampton is not going to help their cause.
They will be missing Northern Ireland midfielder Ali McCann and defender Jack Whatmough, neither of whom will be fit to play a part against Southampton. McCann withdrew from international duty with a calf problem, while summer arrival Whatmough is out with a hamstring injury.
Central defender Andrew Hughes starred in 8 of the first 9 games for Preston, but he has missed the last 3 games with a hamstring injury and although close to a return, the Saints game might be a few days too soon.
Danish striker Emil Riis has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury and is seeing specialists, while Liverpool loanee Calvin Ramsay is expected to be back training soon after his own knee injury.