2 weeks Ago
SAINTS boss Russell Martin faces fresh fitness doubts ahead of their trip to European football hopefuls Brighton on Friday evening. Adam Lallana and Paul Onuachu were both withdrawn against Liverpool with Martin later giving an update on their fitness. The boss is hopeful that Nigerian international Onuachu was only suffering from fatigue, however, Lallana may have picked up a more serious injury.
Here's how we think Saints will lineup as they make the trip along the coast to Brighton's Amex Stadium...
READ MORE: How Martin's Saints compare at this stage to the side that got relegated in 2022/23 Paul Onuachu impressed during his first start of the season (Image: Stuart Martin) Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy had a difficult afternoon on his return between the sticks for Saints against Liverpool. The veteran was caught in no man's land for the Reds' equaliser having also rolled the ball into danger for their first. With Aaron Ramsdale still out, he will keep his spot.
Alex McCarthy will keep his spot in goal (Image: Stuart Martin) Defenders With Jan Bednarek also still out, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens will continue to partner each other in defence. Ryan Fraser started at full-back against Liverpool but Martin should pick Yukinari Sugawara at Brighton. Kyle Walker-Peters will play on the other side.
Russell Martin is a massive fan of Saints captain Jack Stephens (Image: Stuart Martin) Midfielders With Lallana a doubt, Flynn Downes will be tasked with leading the midfield on Friday evening. Joe Aribo came on for Lallana and should therefore start in his absence. Mateus Fernandes was already undroppable before scoring his first Premier League goal on the weekend.
Mateus Fernandes notched his first Premier League goal on Sunday (Image: Stuart Martin) Forwards If Paul Onuachu is passed fit in time for the trip to Brighton, he should keep his spot through the middle. The short turnaround may grant Cameron Archer a way back in. Adam Armstrong scored his third of the season against Liverpool and combined well with teenage starlet Tyler Dibling.
Adam Armstrong has scored in three consecutive home games (Image: Stuart Martin) Full predicted team : (4-3-3) McCarthy; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Downes, Aribo, Fernandes; Dibling, Armstrong, Onuachu..
