Graziano Pelle has failed to recover from a knee injury in time for Southampton's FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace at St Mary's.

Saturday's third-round tie has come too soon for both striker Pelle (knee) and goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who is on his way back to fitness after nine months recovering from knee surgery.

Cedric Soares and Juanmi are both fit again, while Victor Wanyama starts his two-match ban after his red card at Norwich last week. Forward Sadio Mane is in line to make his return, according to Saints boss Ronald Koeman.

Bakary Sako is available for Palace after being out with a hamstring injury since November. Midfielder Yohan Cabaye is also back after serving a one-match suspension but Yannick Bolasie (hip and thigh) and Kwesi Appiah (knee) are still absent.

Palace boss Alan Pardew believes his side have a chance to go far in the competition this season as other teams focus on securing survival in the Premier League.

"I think teams not being as powerful or as fluid as they were (leaves the FA Cup open)," he said. "I can talk about last year with Chelsea and Manchester City better placed than they are this year.

"There is a better chance I think to win it this season for the likes of ourselves, Everton, Stoke and one or two other teams like at Newcastle. I think they could win this competition and if we didn't win it, I hope they do."

Pardew believes the FA Cup is still of great importance to all the clubs and that teams focus on the cup games as much as they concentrate on the league.

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"The teams in the lower end of the Premier League, of course (relegation) does impact upon you financially and I don't think anyone who loves the FA Cup could not understand that, that makes sense," he said.

"But I don't think the big clubs underestimate the importance of it now and I think you're going to see that with selection at the weekend."

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Southampton have faced Crystal Palace on six previous occasions in the FA Cup, including last season when the Eagles beat the Saints 3-2 in the fourth round.

Southampton have beaten Palace twice in the FA Cup, with last season's defeat the fourth time they have exited the competition at the hands of the south London club.

Seven of the Saints' last eight FA Cup third round ties have been at home, from which they have progressed on six occasions.

Palace have won three of their last four away FA Cup games, having won the same number of games in their previous 21 away games in the competition.