Skip to content
Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Southampton vs Scunthorpe United. Sky Bet Championship.

St. Mary's StadiumAttendance18,146.

Southampton v Scunthorpe preview

Image: Goodwin: Doubtful for Iron

Southampton will be determined to pile more misery on Scunthorpe and push back towards the play-off places.

Trio expected back for Saints

Southampton will be determined to pile more misery on Scunthorpe and push back towards the play-off places. Inigo Idiakez, Jhon Viafara and Alan Bennett are expected to return to the Southampton squad. Midfielder Idiakez is set for his long-awaited comeback after two months on the sidelines with an Achilles injury, and makes a timely return with Youssef Safri on African Nations Cup duty with Morocco. Viafara missed the FA Cup win over Leicester after returning home to Colombia due to a family issue and is back in the squad, and Bennett is set for the final game of his current loan spell from Reading, who did not want him cup-tied last week. Full-back Alexander Ostlund is back in training after 10 weeks out with a hamstring injury, but is unlikely to be risked just yet, while Andrew Davies will be included after making his loan move from Middlesbrough permanent on Thursday. Nathan Dyer, Claus Lundekvam (both ankle), Marek Saganowski (groin) and Chris Makin (hip) are still sidelined.

Goodwin struggling for Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe midfielder Jim Goodwin is a major doubt for the clash at St Mary's. The 26-year-old Irishman missed last week's FA Cup defeat at Preston due to a sore heel and is still struggling. Manager Nigel Adkins has several options available if Goodwin fails to make it, but Matt Sparrow is expected to continue alongside Jack Cork in central midfield. Goalkeeper Joe Murphy is nursing a sprained thumb that forced him off last week at Deepdale and he too is doubtful, so Josh Lillis could continue in his absence. Defender Marcus Williams (knee) is another injury concern and if he misses out Ian Baraclough could step into the full-back's role. Shelton Martis should continue alongside Andy Crosby in central defence and fellow new signings, Mamadou Seck and Kevin Horlock, are expected to be included in the squad.

Around Sky