Ex-Albion duo set for appointment as Saints interim chiefs

Southampton are set to place an ex- Albion duo in charge after sacking their boss. Simon Rusk and Adam Lallana are widely expected to take over for the relegated Saints until the end of the season. Ivan Juric departed after the 3-1 defeat at Tottenham which sent the club back to the Championship with seven games still to go .

Juric has taken just four points from his 14 top-flight games in charge after succeeding Brighton-based Russell Martin. Rusk was much-praised in his time as boss of an Albion under-23s side, graduates of which included Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, Aaron Connolly and Robert Sanchez. Saints picked up a point in a goalless draw at Fulham when he took caretaker command earlier this season.



Lallana returned to Southampton last summer after playing a big role on and off the pitch during four seasons with the Seagulls. MATT-O'RILEY URGED TO PLAY FULL PART FOR BRIGHTON He has only featured in 14 Prem matches this term, including four starts. With a further two points required to better Derby’s record low points tally, Southampton’s miserable season continues on Saturday at home to high-flying Aston Villa.

They will then face West Ham, Fulham, Leicester, Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal before dropping back into the second tier..