STUART Armstrong has urged Saints' youngsters to "shine and take their chance" in tomorrow's FA Cup clash with Shrewsbury Town.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is set to hand opportunities to numerous players to come through the Saints academy against the Shrews as he juggles his injury-hit first-team squad.

Saints could be missing as many as nine first-team players for Tuesday night's FA Cup contest after Will Smallbone joined the injury list, suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee against Leicester on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the contest with League One Shrewsbury, Armstrong told the Daily Echo: "It’s an entirely different game and we will have to wait and see how we line up.

“But any time the young players get an opportunity on the pitch it’s a time to shine and take their chance.

“I am sure they will all be looking forward to the game on Tuesday, as we all are.

“A good run in the FA Cup is always a nice thing and getting a good start on Tuesday will be very important.

“We know who awaits in the round after but all focus is on the first tie and taking it step by step."

Asked how important it is for senior players like him to help the crop of youngsters suddenly thrust into more involvement with the first team, Armstrong added: “It’s definitely important for the older players to guide them, give them advice and there will be a lot of learning experience for themselves individually with things that happen in the game and how the game goes at this level.

“It’s a big learning curve for the young players, but they’ve got good quality and I’m sure with time they will grow stronger and stronger."

He added: “We’ve got a big squad and hopefully we’ve got a couple of players coming back, and so, a stronger outfit going into the next few weeks with a lot of games coming up.

“But I mean we have got good strength in depth I feel, especially with the young players. They bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

“Hopefully with one or two coming back from injury, we will be stronger going into the next few fixtures."

Victory over Shrewsbury would set up a fourth-round home tie with Arsenal on Saturday.