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Southampton: Hughes hints at Bednarek appearance against Chelsea

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Jan Bednarek of Southampton and Nouha Dicko of Wolverhampton Wanderers battle for possession during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Jan Bednarek of Southampton and Nouha Dicko of Wolverhampton Wanderers battle for possession during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Southampton boss Mark Hughes has today hinted that Jan Bednarek could feature this weekend in Saturday’s early kick-off against Chelsea.

The Saints will be without first-choice defender Jack Stephens for the match against the Blues, having been sent off against their north London rivals Arsenal this past Sunday.

The Englishman will miss his side’s next three games, including the game against Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Hughes deployed a 5-4-1/3-4-2-1 formation in the defeat to Arsenal – whilst the Saints lost 3-2 it had much more success how he set up against West Ham. As a result, Jan Bednarek may come in if Hughes isn’t looking to reshuffle, something he hinted at in today’s presser.

"“Three or four at the back against Chelsea? We’ve got options to play both. A like for like, Bednarek for Stephens is certainly a possibility.”"

COVENTRY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City looks on prior to The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Coventry City and Stoke City at Ricoh Arena on January 6, 2018 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
COVENTRY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City looks on prior to The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Coventry City and Stoke City at Ricoh Arena on January 6, 2018 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Bednarek only featured sporadically under Mauricio Pellegrino, despite joining for a Polish League record fee of £6 million last July.

Despite this the youngster has looked solid when given the chance, despite sometimes featuring at right-back rather than his natural position.

With Chelsea struggling since the turn of the year, Hughes will hopefully see the game against the Blues as a genuine opportunity to win, and will hope his side can build on the defeat to the Gunners.

In addition to the suspended Stephens, the only Saint likely to miss the encounter is Steven Davis, with Hughes revealing he is still struggling for fitness.

Despite falling out of the first-team picture, the Northern Irishman hasn’t featured through injury in over a month, and his experience will be sorely missed against Chelsea.

The Saints will therefore looks to  Maya Yoshida to provide a levelheaded bit of a leadership.

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