Town boss Mick McCarthy has made six changes to his side for today’s sell-out FA Cup third round tie at Southampton. Darren Ambrose is handed the first start of his third spell with the Blues.
Kevin Bru, Stephen Hunt, Dean Gerken, former Saints academy player Tyrone Mings and Luke Hyam come into the team for Cole Skuse, former Southampton keeper Bartosz Bialkowski and Jonny Parr, who are on the bench, and Teddy Bishop, Jay Tabb and Paul Anderson who drop out of the 18. Cameron Stewart is on the bench for the first time since joining the club in the summer.
The Blues, who have taken 5,500 to St Mary's, a record away following at the Saints' current home, could line-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Hunt up front with Daryl Murphy and another ex-Saint, David McGoldrick.
Alternatively, if Town utilise a 4-4-2 system Hunt and Ambrose could play in wide midfield roles. Former Town keeper Kelvin Davis is on the bench for the home side, who make two changes from the team which beat Arsenal 2-0 on New Year's Day.
Southampton: Forster, Ward-Prowse, Fonte (c), Gardos, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Tadić, Long, Pellè. Subs: Davis, Alderweireld, Isgrove, Reed, McCarthy, Targett, Seager.
Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Hyam, Ambrose, Bru, Hunt, Murphy, McGoldrick. Subs: Bialkowski, Parr, Stewart, Skuse, Bajner, Clarke, Sammon. Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire).