x

Adam Lallana Set To Return At Cardiff City

Southampton supporters travelling to the Carabao Cup match at Cardiff on Wednesday night , might well be watching a piece of history as Adam Lallana makes his second debut for the club.

Russell Martin has been speaking to the media ahead of the Saints game at Cardiff City and it seems that although the side will be changed from the one that lost to Nottingham Forest, it will contain a few big names and new signings.

As reported on southamptonfc.com Russell martin has had this to say about his team for the trip to Wales on Wednesday evening.

"Adam Lallana is back in the squad, Ross Stewart is back in full training, so hopefully we see him playing in the next couple of weeks.

"Kamaldeen is back. We'll have to wait and see what happens and how he reacts in training. But we're close to having a full clean bill of health."

Elsewhere the trip to Wales sees an opportunity for new signings Lesley Ugochukwu and Mateus Fernandes to gain valuable minutes.

"He needs to be the guy," said Martin on Ugochukwu. "He needs to be the king in the middle of the pitch. It will be great for him to be on the pitch rather than just at training being pushed around and told where to go.

"Matty Fernandes is a top talent, clubs all over Europe were looking at him. I think you saw a bit on Saturday of what he can bring."

So Saints supporters could well see another debut for the club in "Big Les" and that will be the one everyone will be looking at, can he be the man to step into the centre of the park and boss it.

We lacked that against Forest and although some complained about the inability of Joe Aribo & Will Smallbone to step into the gap when we were in attacking mode , that had a lot to do with the defensive duties they both had to perform, as the visitors pressed forward.

With Ugochukwu in the middle of the park that may well allow us to employ a more attacking central midfielder.

Martin also had a few words for Tyler Dibling, a player that looked impressive in his cameo role on Saturday.

"Tyler Dibling is very close and probably unlucky not to be playing in the team after his pre-season,"

"He's had two appearances off the bench and did really, really well on Saturday. Just that last little end product, which he's 18, that will come.

"He needs to play well tomorrow night and put himself even more in the frame for the team because he's been really, really impressive."

So although it is very likely that wholesale changes will be made on Wednesday evening, unlike last year at Gillingham where it was very much a collection of disgruntled players who pulled on the shirt in what was an embarrassing League Cup exit, indeed 6 of the 11 in the starting line up that night have left the club permanently already and of the 5 subs used, Alcaraz will probably be gone by the weekend and he could be joined by Tall Paul Onuachu, Kamari Doyle thought his grass would be greener at Brighton, but he is currently mowing the lawn on loan at Exeter City where so far he has come on as sub in his two games for the Devon side.

Of the other two brought on, Joe Aribo of course played Saturday as did Tyler Dibling.

What to read next:

Jan Bednarek Pens New Deal At St Mary's
Southampton's Polish central defender Jan Bednarek has put pen to paper on a new deal at St Mary's, this comes only two years since it appeared he wanted away from the club and went on a ill fated loan to Aston Villa.
Southampton V Manchester United The Preview
This is being billed in the media as the game that could see the sacking of either of the managers if they suffer defeat. I don't see that happening, but for Russell Martin this is a crucial game and one that he has to show that he can change things.
Southampton Look To End 21 Year Old Hoodoo Against Manchester United
Bizarrely Saints have not beaten Manchester United at St Mary's since August 2003, although they have won a couple of times at Old Trafford in that period. Can they end that winless streak on Saturday.
Saints Fans Asked To Clap For Elijah At Manchester United Game
Elijah Khaira was a passionate Southampton supporter both home and away and also a contributor to The Ugly Inside, both in writing articles as SFC Ref and also on the message board.
Russell Martin Reveals Injury Issues For the Visit Of Manchester United
Southampton manager Russell Martin has been talking to the press about his squad for the visit of Manchester United to St Mary's, so what has the Saints boss been saying and who is in and out.
The Red & White Wall Needs To Be Behind Saints Against Manchester United
As Southampton take on the Red Devils of Manchester at St Mary's on Saturday, all Saints supporters need to be behind the team for the full 90 minutes and for that matter injury time. These are tough times but the fans need to stick with the team.
Southampton Record Bid For Striker Turned Down But Was It Another Tall Paul
The media in Greece are claiming that Saints had a late £25 million bid for a Panathinaikos striker turned down, it would have been a record fee, but would it have been another Tall Paul Onuachu blunder ?
Ex Southampton Manager Undergoing Cancer Treatment
Saints supporters will be saddened to hear that ex manager George Burley has been diagnosed with Cancer and has started treatment for the disease, I am sure we all hope that he makes a complete recovery.
Manchester United Have Injury Issues For their Visit To Southampton
Saints could be missing 3 of their squad for the visit of Manchester United at St Mary's, but the visitors could be without as many as 6 players, as Ten Haag strives to get the Red Devils season back on track.
Russell Martin Has Plenty Of Options For Manchester United Game But Will He Use Them
Saints supporters were not surprised when Russell Martin picked the same side for the first two Premier League games, but when he selected the same outfield 10 for the third game in a row, it was puzzling to most.