Saints defender Oliver Lancashire returns to Crystal Palace with a point to prove in the FA Youth Cup tonight (7pm).

The 17-year-old captained Palace's youth teams from the age of eight but was released by the south London club last year.

He never played at Selhurst Park but returns to his first club for tonight's FA Youth Cup quarter final - with a two legged semi-final against Liverpool or Carlisle awaiting the winners next month.

Lancashire has already enjoyed 2-1 and 7-1 wins against his former Palace teammates this season.

But denying his old club a potential trip to Anfield would surpass either of those victories.

He said: "I was there for eight years and it was a big shock to be released. There was a change of management in October 2004 and I didn't really fit in with them.

"I only played one game under Gary Issott, the new under 18s coach, because I had a hernia problem.

"After that one game, which was against Southampton, they came up with a few excuses and said 'no'.

"I like to think I showed them they made a mistake when we won 7-1 against their strongest line up, and hopefully I'll do the same again tonight - and get on the scoresheet."

Lancashire, who comes from Hook, near Aldershot, came to Saints' attention for his performances in the Hampshire Schools side that shared the English Schools FA Trophy with Greater Manchester after a 2-2 draw at the Reebok Stadium last season.

He added: "I stayed positive and was aware that Southampton knew about me because I'd spoken to Saints Head of Recruitment Malcolm Elias a few times.

"I'm enjoying it here, there's a lot more quality at Southampton and a better team spirit so we should win.

"Palace have got good wide men who are quick - but they're quite slow at the back."

Arsenal fan Lancashire has already warned his teammates of the threat posed by some of the Palace players.

"I still speak to a few of them and have been in contact every day since the draw. Ryan Hall, James Dayton and Lewis Grabban, who scored the winner in their last tie against Watford, are the three to look out for - and they also have an England under 16 winger called Victor Moses who we'll have to keep an eye on."

He added: "We haven't conceded a goal in the last two Youth Cup games and hopefully we can keep that going.

"Before the season started I said a dream draw would be Selhurst Park in the quarter finals, Anfield in the semis with an Old Trafford final, which could yet happen."

Aristoles 'Totti' De Carvalho is expected to recover from a knee injury in time to replace Southampton-born Jamie White on the right flank in the one change from the team that beat Bolton last Friday.

Captain Lloyd James is expected to recover from a virus in time to lead Georges Prost's team out against a Palace team who are bottom of the academy south league which Saints are top of.

Don't miss tomorrow's Daily Echo for Simon Walter's report from Selhurst Park.