Big guns in line for Cardiff return (From Daily Echo)
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Big guns in line for Cardiff return
7:40am Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Saints News
Jose Fonte
NIGEL Adkins is expected to welcome back some key players for tonight’s clash with promotion rivals Cardiff.
Jose Fonte is likely to ease the problems at centre half by returning from a toe injury for the Bluebirds’ visit to St Mary’s.
The Portuguese defender has missed the last six games, but Adkins insists he should be fit this evening.
That is good news, with fellow first-choice centre back Jos Hooiveld due to miss out with a hamstring injury.
“Jose, all being well, is going to be in contention,” said Adkins, who will likely pair Fonte with Aaron Martin at the heart of defence.
“Jos, hopefully it’s a lot sooner than potentially longer.
“Is he going to be fit? I’d say no, but close after that.”
Saints are also hopeful that Adam Lallana can return from a groin injury to take up his usual position on the left of midfield.
There remains a question over who Adkins will use on the right-hand side, though.
Spurs loanee Yago Falque is available, but had a difficult debut out wide in last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Leicester.
Jason Puncheon started on the right in the FA Cup draw at Millwall on Saturday, after healing his rift with the club, but he remains short of match fitness. Richard Chaplow is on his way back from a knee injury, although it is unclear if he will be fit to play any part tonight.
Beyond those three, the most likely option to play on the right of midfield is Jack Cork, who was rested at the weekend.
Up front, the Saints boss is expected to restore Guly do Prado to the starting line-up alongside Rickie Lambert, after the Brazilian was given Saturday off.
That would leave Tadanari Lee, Lee Barnard and David Connolly fighting for places on the bench.
Adkins admitted he is excited about tonight’s contest, as Saints look to avenge a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff from earlier in the season.
“It’s going to be a great game for the supporters,” he said.
“I thought we played ever so well at their place.
“Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way.
“You’ve seen the players that haven’t been on the pitch (at Millwall), so they’ll be fresh and ready to go on Tuesday night if selected.”
Comments(21)
george chivers
says...
8:00am Tue 31 Jan 12
Southampton boy wrote:Everything is looking very positive. A win against Cardiff tonight and we are back on track for automatic promotion.
Great signing "BS" coming into the line up "NA" will be having sleepless nights now trying to select who he will put out my line up would be not seeing some of these play as yet but up front " RL BS " then "T-Lee L SR" this I would hope be a good front line but not sure if Lee T can play wide still looking forward tonight need a big win tonight can't let Blue Brids beat us again and put us in the play off COYR's
RedArmy1
says...
8:20am Tue 31 Jan 12
Let's really deliver tonight and get the result we need.
Hard working - efficient football with goals !!!
He stands just over 6 foot 3, Rickie, Rickie
He’ll take us to the PREMIER LEAGUE , Rickie, Rickie
He gets the ball he takes the ****
He wears the shirt of Matt Le Tiss
Rickie Lambert Southampton goal machine.
Last season Jose Fonte was immense - I call on him to stand up and show the Leadership he showed from last Season ...
Jose fonte baby
Jose fonte ohhhhhhh
Jose fonte baby
Jose fonte ohhhhhhh.
Kelvin Davis - an immense performance required - no howlers -
Super
Super Kelv
Super
SuperKelv
Super
Super Kelv
Super Kelvin Davis.
RED ARMY. ON TO VICTORY.
rob the saint in NZ
says...
8:21am Tue 31 Jan 12
Everyone is buoyed up & raring to go. We're all in our boat or bus, in the building with our oars primed.
PLEASE Saints give us a win & a performance to be proud of; I'm going for 2-0.
COYR & FOP!!!
aldermoorboy
says...
8:22am Tue 31 Jan 12
RedArmy1
says...
8:46am Tue 31 Jan 12
aldermoorboy wrote:Good Call !!
Should be a great game tonight, if the crowd get behind SAINTS 100% we will win.
We hate Nottingham Forest
we hate CARDIFF too !!
We hate the skate b*stards
BUT SOUTHAMPTON - WE LOVE YOU !!
COME ON YOU REDS !!!
Matt Allen
says...
8:50am Tue 31 Jan 12
We need his desire and ability to knock a few players off the ball. But it looks 50/50 at the moment.
We have the squad and I think we can do it if we play well; I really don't want to drop into those bloody playoffs tonight.
SaintMax
says...
9:03am Tue 31 Jan 12
JohnItaly
says...
9:12am Tue 31 Jan 12
shaun_inuk
says...
9:17am Tue 31 Jan 12
Let`s make (lamb)mincemeat out of the interlopers from the League of Wales and send em back across the border all sheepish like.
Strasbourg Saint
says...
9:38am Tue 31 Jan 12
JohnItaly wrote:Was just thinking the same.
When all 1st team squad match fit will be interesting to see what NA sees as his 1st XI.
I know people will call this a 'must win' game, but I'd say it's a 6-pointer.
That said, I hope the players go onto the pitch believing that every tackle is a 'msut win' tackle.
I just wish I could be there. Instead, I'll have to make do with what I can find online and that's assuming I don't get dragged to the cinema.
George Clooney or Rickie Lambert? I think she and I will differ on that one, so some careful negotiations will be needed this evening methinks!
olddellsaint
says...
9:42am Tue 31 Jan 12
''LEE WILL- LEE WILL- ROCK YOU- ROCK YOU''. All the commentators and press reporters saying ' Saints have bought a new hero to the south-coast club by the name of 'Lee'
It's only me dreaming, or am I ???
Matt Le God
says...
9:46am Tue 31 Jan 12
To the tune of "We are Sailing"
Markus Leibher, Markus Leibher
Saved our club, to you we thank,
Markus Leihber, Markus Leibher
We salute you, you are our Saint
RedArmy1
says...
9:46am Tue 31 Jan 12
6 POINTER it is then.
Oh when the Saints
Go marching in
Oh when the Saints go marching in
I want to be in that number
Oh when the Saints go marching in
(in rounds)
Oh when the Saints (Oh when the Saints)
Go marching in (go marching in).
COYR
RedArmy1
says...
9:48am Tue 31 Jan 12
olddellsaint wrote:Good one - !!
I can hear it now; at tonight's match the sound ringing around St Marys Stadium;
''LEE WILL- LEE WILL- ROCK YOU- ROCK YOU''. All the commentators and press reporters saying ' Saints have bought a new hero to the south-coast club by the name of 'Lee'
It's only me dreaming, or am I ???
LEE WILL - LEE WILL ROCK YOU !!
COYR
Paul Lucas
says...
11:07am Tue 31 Jan 12
COYRS - nothing less than 3 points tonight. Shall be there and looking forward to it!
Dickosfc
says...
12:03pm Tue 31 Jan 12
.
You never know, maybe the Chapel could break the mould and make some noise.
.
COYRs
boilerman
says...
12:36pm Tue 31 Jan 12
I think we need to get back to our high tempo game and not let the opposition settle, a bit like leicester did to us.
I know it sounds a simple idea, but I think it is.
COYR
Lehman Bros Banker
says...
2:14pm Tue 31 Jan 12
We've got Billy Sharp
We've got Billy Sharp
We are Southampton
We've got Billy Sharp
Let's hear it for Billy in the Northam and Kingsland tonight
OSPREYSAINT
says...
3:11pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Clausentum Saint
says...
4:11pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Went to the game down there,we played really well and deserved a result,let's hope we pop a few in tonight and get back on track to auto promotion.
COYR'S
click2find
Southampton boy says...
7:51am Tue 31 Jan 12