Saints’ promotion hopes are set to be boosted by a Christmas cavalry charge from the treatment room.

Richard Chaplow and David Connolly are set to give Nigel Adkins a timely double boost ahead of a hectic schedule that sees Saints play three important games in the space of a week.

With their lead at the top of the table being whittled away after a run of five points from their last five matches, Saints could really do with a big Christmas points haul to keep their momentum going.

They start their festive fixtures by welcoming Crystal Palace to St Mary’s on Boxing Day, have another home game against Bristol City on Friday, December 30, and start the New Year with a trip to Brighton on Monday, January 2.

Saints have suffered with a run of injuries of late, with Kelvin Davis, Rickie Lambert, Chaplow and Connolly all having missed games alongside long-term absentees Radhi Jaidi and Dan Seaborne.

On top of all that Lee Barnard is sidelined again after having another operation on his ankle.

Adkins has confirmed he is considering moves to bolster his squad in the January transfer window but will welcome the return of some of those players he already has.

l Contines: Page 52 Both Chaplow and Connolly have been sorely missed.

Connolly had established a strong partnership with Lambert in attack and his absence has meant Guly do Prado playing alongside Saints’ star man and vacating the right side of midfield.

Chaplow stepped into the breach there and was on fine form before being sidelined by a knee injury.

Despite being signed primarily as a right sided midfielder Steve De Ridder has been largely overlooked for the role and Saints instead have tried to play Morgan Schneiderlin, who is in effect a central midfielder, out on that side.

Chaplow could come straight back into the side to face Palace on Boxing Day while Connolly will challenge Do Prado for his place.

There will be a clamour for Connolly to make an instant return after Do Prado’s below par showing in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth at Fratton Park last weekend but Adkins may try to ease him back into action with a place on the back following his return from a hernia operation.