Forgotten man Tadanari Lee is tonight hoping to make his first Saints start for almost a year.

The Japanese striker last started a game for the club back in October 2012, and has made just one further appearance since as a late substitute in a cup game in January.

Lee appeared to be heading for the St Mary’s exit before the transfer deadline day departure of Emmanuel Mayuka to Sochaux opened up a first team squad spot for another striker, with Mauricio Pochettino opting to put his faith in Lee rather than enter the market.

The 27-year-old hasn’t been able to get involved with the first team since due to a minor injury but came through a game for the under-21s on Saturday to put himself in contention for tonight’s Capital One Cup third round clash with Bristol City at St Mary’s.

Full squad Now he is hoping to get the nod for a much changed Saints side.

Pochettino is keen on progress in the Capital One Cup, but is expected to continue to carefully manage his squad – and that will almost certainly mean a raft of changes from the side who so brilliantly beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.

In the second round Pochettino left Jose Fonte and Jay Rodriguez in the team that beat Barnsley 5-1 at Oakwell, but with a full squad to select from – Danny Fox the only doubt with an ankle problem – and youngsters to blood, there could be a full 11 changes this evening.

Kelvin Davis is likely to get the nod in goal while Jos Hooiveld and Maya Yoshida could get a rare chance to impress with Jose Fonte and Dejan Lovren doing so well at the moment.

Jack Cork is also set to feature after being used a late substitute at Anfield while Steven Davis, who scored twice in the win over Barnsley, is also likely to be involved, along with Gaston Ramirez.

Pochettino was delighted with the win at Liverpool but is not dwelling on it.

“What we have to do is learn from these types of games and the experience,” said the Saints boss.

“We just have to think again of the Capital One Cup game coming up on Tuesday and then Crystal Palace at home next Saturday.

“It’s not going to be worth anything if we start thinking ahead of ourselves.

“We have to believe we can do this in very tough stadiums and very tough pitches in the rest of the country.

“We have to keep on developing that winning mentality and that comes down to the manager and I need to be able to do that.”