Southampton could be without five players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Ryan Fraser is suspended after being sent off in the Saints' 3-2 defeat to Leicester City last weekend, while William Smallbone tweaked his hamstring after coming on as a substitute in that match and is set to join Ross Stewart (muscle) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) on the sidelines.

Yukinari Sugawara has emerged as a doubt after he also came off with an injury, and should he fail to pass a late fitness test, Kyle Walker-Peters could be tasked with operating at right wing-back.

Russell Martin is expected to deploy a back five against Man City and could recall Jack Stephens, who has served a three-match and further two-match suspension, and is in contention to partner former Citizens man Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek in central defence, while Ryan Manning could continue on the left.

Joe Aribo will be hoping to retain his place in midfield after scoring against Leicester last weekend and could link arms with Flynn Downes and Mateus Fernandes.

Southampton's rising star Tyler Dibling has impressed since stepping into the first team this season and is likely to start in attack with striker Cameron Archer, who scored his second Premier League goal in as many games last time out.

Southampton possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Stephens, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Walker-Peters, Aribo, Downes, Fernandes, Manning; Dibling, Archer

> Click here to see how Manchester City could line up for this contest

Written by
Oliver Thomas