Team News: Southampton make seven changes for Europa League bow

Southampton boss Claude Puel has made seven changes to his side for the visit of Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

Shane Long and Charlie Austin have both been brought into the team following the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal last weekend, in what is a new-look strike pairing for the Saints.

There is also a place in midfield for James Ward-Prowse, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg comes in for his third start since joining the club during the summer transfer window.

Fraser Forster retains his place in goal, meanwhile, with Virgil van Dijk, Oriol Romeu and Dusan Tadic the others to retain their place in the XI from last time out as the Saints look to get their Group K campaign off to a flying start on home soil.

In terms of the visitors, who currently sit second in the Czech top flight, boss Zdenek Scasny has sprung a surprise of sorts by naming Michal Sacek in attacking midfield for his first European appearance.

There is no place for former Arsenal ace Tomas Rosicky in the Reds' squad, though, as he was deemed unfit to travel with Sparta as they embark on their latest Europa League campaign.

Southampton: Forster; Martina, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Targett; Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Tadic; Long, Austin Subs: McCarthy, Clasie, Fonte, Davis, Rodriguez, Bertrand, Redmond

Sparta Prague: Koubek; Holek, Costa, Kadlec; Frydek, Vacha; Karavaev, Sacek, Sural; Kadlec, Julis Subs: Bicik, Mazuch, Marecek, Cermak, Lafata, Holzer, Pulkrab

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