Southampton lineup vs. Fulham: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Southampton will be without at least two players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at St Mary's.

January signing Albert Gronbaek is closing in on a return from an Achilles issue, but the midfielder will not recover in time to face the Cottagers, while Charlie Taylor remains sidelined with a hip injury.

Interim boss Simon Rusk is set to continue with a three-at-the-back system with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens all retaining their spots in central defence, protecting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning are the most likely duo to operate as wing-backs, although both James Bree and Welington will be hoping to force their way back into the first XI.

Lesley Ugochukwu scored a 93rd-minute equaliser in last weekend's 1-1 draw with West Ham United and the Chelsea loanee is set to link arms with Flynn Downes in centre-midfield, meaning that William Smallbone and Joe Aribo may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench once again.

Rusk could be tempted to make one or two changes in attack, with in-demand Tyler Dibling and Cameron Archer both pushing to start at the expense of either Mateus Fernandes, Kamaldeen Sulemana or Paul Onuachu.

Southampton possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Fernandes, Dibling; Archer

> Click here to see how Fulham could line up for this contest