Shane Long looks likely to step straight back into the side after missing the Sunderland game with a minor knee injury.

Shane Long is set to give Saints a boost for the trip to Stoke City with the news that he has recovered from his knee injury.

Long will almost certainly be straight back into the starting line up being the in form Saints striker over the past three months.

The question will be who will go out from the side to accommodate him ?

That looks likely to be Sadio Mane who continued his goal drought against Sunderland.

Graziano Pelle looks favourite to lead the line alongside Long, although he too has not scored since November, the reality is that for most of that time he has been sidelined with an injury, when he has played alongside Long recently it has reaped its rewards, most notably against West Ham and Swansea.

On Saturday against Sunderland Pelle came in for some criticism, but tat was shortsighted, he received little service and had no one to play offg him, however when he did get the ball played into him in injury time, he played a big part in the start of the move that lead to the Saints equaliser and it is this that will perhaps earn him the nod again up front.

Photo: Action Images

Big_T added 12:12 - Mar 10 Long looks set to replace Sadio Mane ? Who ? Thought he left months ago ?
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SonicBoom added 12:48 - Mar 10 Pelle came in for some criticism.... What's new!
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IWOZTHERE added 13:02 - Mar 10 Glad he's fit, you can never fault him for effort. There's still a lot to play for.... I'd like to see Ron select the spine of next season's team and stick to it but I suspect he'll keep the 'wannaways' in the shop window. If Romeu keeps performing as of late I'll be well peed off if he brings VW back in place of him although as he's been showing well in attack, it might be Clasie who's under pressure. So many doubts and changes are ruining this season, Get them playing TOGETHER again Ron!

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mesquita added 15:07 - Mar 10 My prediction remains the saame as my previous comments elswhere. RK will be ultra defensive in the absence of Fonte and the inclusion of Yoshida. Forster, VVD, Yoshida and Bertrand at the back, 2 wing backs, Clasie, Romeu and Wanyama, and Pelle and Long up front. Hoping for 0-0 or 0-1
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SaintBrock added 22:35 - Mar 10 Shane's problem is that his bravery borders on recklessness. There's no halfway house with him, when he goes in for the ball he goes in for it and is guaranteed a physical crunch or two with defenders and goalkeepers. Sometimes not surprisingly he comes off worse. That's Shane and it won't be long before he is out once again with some head or leg injury. Still, his brief appearances for Saints seem to be far more productive than anybody else in the forward positions.

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