Southampton v Leeds Utd preview

Team news for Saturday's Championship clash between Southampton and Leeds United at St Mary's (5:20pm)

Last Updated: 09/12/11 at 09:15

Connolly: Set to partner Rickie Lambert

Connolly: Set to partner Rickie Lambert

Teenage star Alex Chamberlain is still dubious for Southampton.

Winger Chamberlain, who is a target for Arsenal, suffered an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly against West Brom last week and is a doubtful starter.

Skipper Dean Hammond missed the weekend friendly at Yeovil through illness but the midfielder is expected to be available.

Boss Nigel Adkins has an otherwise clean bill of health and will include his two summer signings, midfielder Jack Cork and Belgian winger Steve de Ridder, in the squad.

Veteran striker David Connolly's pre-season form could earn him a start in attack alongside Rickie Lambert.

Lambert had a minor back problem earlier in the summer but is now fully fit.

Leeds' latest signing Darren O'Dea will go straight into the squad.

The Celtic central defender has completed a season-long loan switch and will vie with fit-again Patrick Kisnorbo, Tom Lees, Leigh Bromby and Alex Bruce for a place alongside Andy O'Brien at the heart of the defence.

Kisnorbo missed all of last season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and Lees, 20, spent the campaign on loan at Bury. O'Brien is expected to shake off a side strain that has restricted him to two warm-up matches.

But manager Simon Grayson will be without strikers Luciano Becchio (hamstring) and Davide Somma, who will be sidelined long-term with a torn cruciate ligament.

Fellow forward Billy Paynter scored his first goal for the club at Elland Road in the recent win over Newcastle and is expected to start alongside Ross McCormack but Ramon Nunez is also in contention.

Summer signing Michael Brown is hoping to make his debut in midfield alongside Adam Clayton, who could make his first appearance, and goalkeepers Andy Lonergan and Paul Rachubka are also vying for their debuts.

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Championship Fixtures

Monday, 27 May 2013
15:00
C Palace v Watford  

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

Footer 365

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Lampard: Rafa spell a success

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes Rafa Benitez did all that could be expected of him during his difficult period in charge of the club.

Mail Box

Mourinho Isn't Short-Term, Football Is

There's more in the afternoon Mailbox about Jose Mourinho and his potential return to Chelsea, while there's also a link to some pictures of eagles that look like Arsene Wenger...

Should Chelsea Be Worried About Jose Return?

After a disappointing end to his three years at Real Madrid, could Jose Mourinho struggle to bring immediate success if he completes his anticipated return to Chelsea?

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