Preston North End come South to hopefully exit the Carling Cup.

One thing is for sure in this game and that is that neither side will probably play anything like the team that started their respective games over the weekend, at least if you believe what both managers have been saying and this would suit Saints fine.

Although as a supporter you want to see the strongest team put out, with Saints its not so much a case of resting players but of giving the fringe players a chance, Saints have a big squad and in truth in the league there has been little opportunity for anyone but the usual starting 11 plus the same suspects off the bench, this game will give the chance for the likes of Steve De Ridder, Richard Chaplow and Morgan Schneiderlin to get in a full game, not to mention a few of the other fringe players like Joneathan Forte, Ryan Dickson, Arron Martin etc  

In truth Saints could put out a virtual second XI that would be capable of holding its own in the Championship and its the quantity as well as the quality that can stand it in good stead in the early rounds of this cup.

Injury wise its a little sketchy just who is actually unable to play because of a knock, Harding has been casually mentioned as having picked up a knock in training a wek or so ago, but little has been said about what it actually is or how long it could affect him, as for Lee Barnard, Danny Butterfield & Jaidi, its been almost as if they no longer exist.

I would expect only around 3-4 of Saturday's starting XI to be on the pitch at the kick off tonight and Saints to line up something like this.

Bialkowski

Richardson, Martin, Hooiveld Dickson.

De Ridder, Chaplow Schneiderlin, Holmes.

Guly Forte.

With seven subs able to be named I would then expect some of our big guns like Lambert, Cork & Lallana to be held in reserve ready to be brought on in an emergency.

This looks the most likely line up and to be blunt as mentioned its still one that could hold its own in the Championship, the only real question is whether Nigel Adkins considers it to be a little too much wholesale change and keeps a couple more of Sunday's starters in the side.

Victory on the night would take Saints into the last sixteen and with a great chance of making the quarter finals with a favourable draw on Saturday, but having said that it would also be nice to see Saints pitted at home against one of the premiership sides and play a strongish team to see just how good we actually are.  

Photo: Action Images

Struggers added 10:14 - Sep 21 Agree with the line-up, although Butters may feature in place of Fraser. During ND's match preview, it was nice to see Barney training again and running freely, we may see him on the bench tonight.
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SaintNick added 10:39 - Sep 21 What has hapened to Butterfield and Barnard there has been no mention
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Struggers added 11:15 - Sep 21 Sorry NA's match preview (doh). Adkins has mentioned in the past that Barnard has been out due to injury, but nothing on Butterfield strangely. However, both can be seen back training again and with smiles on their faces on Saints Player yesterday.
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legod7 added 12:31 - Sep 21 Agree with your line up, but perhaps give Fonte & Hooiveld another run out together to cement their partnership
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bstokesaint added 12:33 - Sep 21 I'd like to see us get through this one and draw Arsenal at home..
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SaintNick added 16:13 - Sep 21 Id prefer Arsenal away from the point of view i have never been to the emirates
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geezershoong added 17:00 - Sep 21 If you want to go to the Emirates suggest you start saving up for it now ;)
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