TEAMtalk

Southampton v Barnsley preview

Friday 09-March-2012 10:33

Leaders Southampton will check on Danny Fox ahead of the visit of Barnsley.

Fox missed Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Ipswich with a groin injury and remains a doubt, with Dan Harding ready to deputise at left-back again.

Fellow defender Dan Seaborne is still recovering from a head injury but otherwise boss Nigel Adkins has a fully-fit squad to choose from after midfielder Adam Lallana (groin) and winger Steve de Ridder (foot) returned from injuries in midweek.

Adkins is set to rotate his squad again for their third match in a week.

Defenders Aaron Martin and Danny Butterfield, midfielders Jack Cork and Richard Chaplow and strikers Billy Sharp and David Connolly are among those pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.

Barnsley's new loan signing Frank Nouble is expected to be included in the squad for the game at Southampton.

The 20-year-old West Ham striker, who returns to the club after a previous spell on loan at Oakwell, has joined the Tykes for a month and may even start.

Defender Rob Edwards has not recovered from the knock that kept him out of the midweek defeat at Middlesbrough, but manager Keith Hill has no new injury or suspension worries.

Hill made four changes for the midweek defeat at Middlesbrough, with midfielders Michael Tonge and Korey Smith and defender Jay McEveley dropped to the substitutes' bench, while teenager Paul Digby was not included in the squad.

All four players will be hoping to play some part at Southampton as Hill's side chase their first win in five league matches.