There is generally positive injury news as Aidy Boothroyd makes two changes from the side that beat Preston North End 2-1 last time out for this afternoon’s resumption of the Championship at Southampton.
Although skipper Jay DeMerit is sidelined with a hamstring problem – meaning Leigh Bromby returns to the starting XI to partner Darren Ward at the heart of the defence – John Eustace is fit to return at the expense of John-Joe O’Toole, who drops to the bench.
Two more players who have been sidelined recently – Jobi McAnuff and Lloyd Doyley – are also fit enough to be included among the substitutes.
Although Saints were thumped 4-1 at Coventry City a fortnight ago, boss Jan Poortvliet has decided to make just the one change, with Ryan Smith coming in for Chris Perry.
Southampton: Davis; James, Smith, Lancashire, Mills; Cork, Wotton, McGoldrick, Lallana, Surman; Robertson. Substitutes: Perry, Gillett, Thomson, Bialkowski, Pekhart.
Watford: Lee; Mariappa, Bromby, Ward, Sadler; Smith, Williamson, Eustace, Harley; Hoskins, Priskin. Substitutes: McAnuff, Doyley, O’Toole, Tyler, Henderson.
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