Having said that, Albion's poor form has slightly improved recently, with caretaker manager Keith Downing overseeing a four-match unbeaten run during his tenure, which shows no sign of ending as the Baggies scramble around for Steve Clarke's replacement.

In the playing ranks, speculation over Shane Long's future continues but the reported Hull City target is expected to start in attack for West Brom at St Mary's Stadium, with Saido Berahino, who is looking to impress England boss Roy Hodgson, Matej Vydra and Nicolas Anelka among his potential partners.

Billy Jones (concussion) and Youssouf Mulumbu (eye injury) both missed the FA Cup third-round defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace and are doubts for the trip to the South Coast, while Craig Dawson and Goran Popov are expected to make way for the returns of Liam Ridgewell and Jonas Olsson in defence.

Should Saints striker Rickie Lambert fail to overcome a thigh problem, Jay Rodriguez may be asked to play through the middle, which could give Gaston Ramirez another opportunity out wide.

Victor Wanyama is close to a comeback from a six-week layoff, but Steven Davis will continue to deputise for now, while back-up goalkeeper Kelvin Davis will again stand in for the injured Artur Boruc. Pablo Osvaldo remain suspended and Nathaniel Clyne should keep Calum Chambers out of the team.

Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana, both rested for cup duties last weekend, are likely be restored to the starting XI of Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has insisted that rumours suggesting that he could leave his position at the end of the season are wide of the mark.

Recent form

Southampton: LLWLDD

West Brom: WDDDLL

Possible starting lineups

Southampton: Davis; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; S.Davis, Schneiderlin; Ramirez, Lallana, Ward-Prowse; Rodriguez

West Brom: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Sinclair, Morrison, Yacob, Brunt; Long, Berahino

Sports Mole says: 2-1