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).

Photo: Action Images

gorse added 14:17 - Jan 4 What's up with Tabb?
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jas0999 added 14:19 - Jan 4 That's a strong Southampton side! Interesting team selection from Mick. Several players given a well earned rest. No surprise that Murphy and McGoldrick start though, as have very limited options up front.
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bluefeast added 14:20 - Jan 4 Shame Teddy Bishop wont be showcasing his skills ,even from the bench. Southampton have picked the best team they have. Chambers has his work cut out for sure ,not least due to full back Bertrand being a top 2 rightback in the prem , not worried by the result ,just dont want injuries to anyone playing. Good luck you blues
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PutneyBlue added 14:27 - Jan 4 Hope Stewart plays
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ParisBlue added 14:34 - Jan 4 That's a strong Southampton team. Good on them taking it seriously.
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Bluetone added 14:34 - Jan 4 Got a feeling this is one we will lose. Just hope the boys acquit themselves well and the score is kept reasonable. Just hope we don't lose our impetus, positive drive and confidence. COYB.
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TomJamesLW added 14:45 - Jan 4 Not really fringe players that Mick has put out. Was expecting the likes of Henshall, Bajner and Clarke. Bring it on then! COYB
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sugardaddy added 14:46 - Jan 4 anyone streaming it? if so what website you using??
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oldegold added 14:46 - Jan 4 MM has an appalling record in the cups and his record shows he has no qualms in playing below-strength sides. As someone who grew up with the magic of the cup I simply don't agree and as we are a proud club that traditionally punches above its weight we should give the cup its due respect. Memories of our cup runs in the 1970s an early 1980s still hold strong.I imagine Sir Bobby must be turning in his grave with the lack of respect the cups are considered nowadays by too many people. I also think that fans are entitled to more from their hard-earned investment in the club and every ticket sold is an indication of the esteem of the club.

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bohslegend added 14:57 - Jan 4 Just hoping we go out on to the pitch without any worry, and have a right go at them. COYB!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 14:57 - Jan 4 Oldegold. I understand your feelings on this, but my memory of those days was that our squads were even thinner then than now. So sir Bobby had less scope to rest players anyway as did many teams. The fact is there is more money in promotion than an FA cup run (unless by some miracle we were to win it). Thus, sadly, MMs priorities are pragmatic. If we pull of a shock win tho this debate will be irrelevant!

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bohslegend added 15:00 - Jan 4 oldegold what a loaded and opportunistic thing to say! It's actually not a bad team at all he has put out. But which would you prefer? A run in the cup or promotion? We have a small squad which MM has built himself with no money, and we are flying this season. Your comments defy belief or logic.
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Kirbmeister added 15:10 - Jan 4 WhoisJimmyJuan you are dead right, I supported town in the 70's and 80's and every team played their best 11 week in week out. The only time teams used subs was if they had injuries. Times have moved forward. Look at the levels of athletisim now compared to those days, players can't maintain that energy level every week I don't care how much they earn.
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Wacko added 15:15 - Jan 4 Oldegod about 2-3 months ago this was pretty much the team that was still doing well in the league, with the exception of Ambrose who's tried and tested in the Prem so your comment is nonsense. If MM threw in a load of youngsters then you may have a point but a team of fresh potential regulars is exactly the right decision to keep morale high in the squad and competition fierce

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oldegold added 16:57 - Jan 4 Never wrote it was a bad team but that it was below par and I have always been a very big fan of Ambrose since he burst into Town's team in the summer of 2002 and was delighted he came back in September. If you read my words you will see that I indicate that MM has always given little or no importance to cups and will use it as an opportunity to play players who are not playing regularly. I believe that it is possible to play on all fronts and challenge for league and cups and was brought up on this fighting principle by the great Town sides between 1972 and 1982 so it is not nonsence but a sacred principle.We are Town and we think big, we act big because we are big. We didn't win in 1978 replacing the league with the cup ( even though we had a mediocre year) but it's mediocre to think we cannot manage both. Having said that, the team put out today was not lacking and the 1-1 draw proves my point.

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walberswicks added 18:04 - Jan 4 why would you change the goalkeeper for a big game?
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