Injury hit Saints face a Chelsea side looking to edge into the top four whilst a win could see the home side hit the top six.

It is difficult to take on Chelsea when you have a full side to pick from, but Saints look likely to have to do so without at least five outfield players, all missing through injury with even back up keeper Alex McCarthy also missing.

Cedric Soares, Shane Long, Jay Rodriguez, Matt Targett, Jake Hesketh and Alex McCarthy are all being reported as going to miss the game with only Ryan Bertrand in with a chance of playing .

Add to that Sofiane Boufal who surely could not face a second 90 minutes in so short a period after his full debut on Wednesday evening and Claude Puel has problems not just in the back four but in the attacking area as well.

Not great preparation for a side like Chelsea arriving in town, but one of Puel's strength's seems to be his ability to use his squad to it's full extent and still get it playing well and getting results.

That was shown on Wednesday against Sunderland when a Saints side full of youth and as a result disjointed still managed to see off Sunderland comfortably, but that result still had it's consequences with both McCarthy and Rodriguez added to the injury list.

But just as you can only play what is up against you, you have to work with what you have and Saints will still have a strong spine in the team with it all being anchored by a strong central three.

I would think Saints will line up

Forster

Martina Fonte Van Dijk McQueen

Clasie Romeu Davis

Redmond Austin Tadic

Subs. Taylor, Ward Prowse, Hodjberg, Boufal, Yoshida, Olomola, Stephens

So Saints will still be able to put out a very strong starting XI, the issue will be that there will be little options coming off the bench either at the back or attacking wise.

Saints start the day in 9th position after Watford leapfrogged us yesterday, however a win would see us not only jump back over them but also Manchester United to 7th, indeed if Everton were to lose at home to West Ham then we would also jump over them into sixth.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 11:19 - Oct 30 I think that's a bit harsh Nick, to say "there will be little options coming off the bench either at the back or attacking wise" rather demeans Boufal, who scored an excellent goal a few days ago, and Yoshi who played pretty well against Blunderland. A few weeks ago we would have considered McQueen a bench warmer so I don't think we should be too concerned just yet. Maybe today will be the day when JWP steps up to the plate and becomes next on the Liverpool Christmas list!

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SanMarco added 13:08 - Oct 30 I would drive him there highfield. My worry today is Chelsea's attack down the wings. Martina vs Hazard is not my idea of an equal battle.
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