Southampton v Sheff Utd preview

Tense battle ahead at St Mary's

Last updated: 3rd May 2008

chris lucketti sheffield united

Lucketti: Unavailable

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Southampton play host to Sheffield United at St Mary's with both sides in need of the points.

The Saints go into the final-day showdown in the bottom three needing a win to give them the best chance of survival, although a draw will prove enough if Stoke beat relegation rivals Leicester.

The Blades still harbour slim hopes of reaching the play-offs but they must beat Southampton and hope results elsewhere go their way if they are to grab a top-six finish.

On-loan Southampton defender Chris Lucketti has opted out at home to Sheffield United, so Wayne Thomas or Darren Powell will replace him.

Lucketti would have been eligible to play at St Mary's, but with the Blades in the hunt for a Championship play-off place, the 36-year-old - who will still be contracted to Bramall Lane next season - has made himself unavailable.

Boss Nigel Pearson will choose between Thomas or Powell as a replacement alongside Chris Perry.

Another centre-half, player of the year Andrew Davies, is Saints' only injury absentee as he continues to recover from the fractured cheekbone he sustained in March.

Sheff Utd team news

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell faces defensive selection dilemma ahead of the clash.

Blackwell, who will take charge of his first game since being unveiled as the permanent Blades boss, will be without central defenders Ugo Ehiogu and Chris Morgan for the clash at the St Mary's Stadium.

Ehiogu picked up a calf injury during the 2-1 victory against Bristol City while Chris Morgan serves the second of a two-match ban.

Their absence could mean a return to the starting XI for Derek Geary with John Halls moving from right back to partner Matt Kilgallon in the centre.

Star striker James Beattie is also missing with a hamstring problem, as is Lee Martin who ruptured his knee ligaments last weekend.