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Southampton: Who should replace Bednarek vs Crystal Palace?

By Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Jan Bednarek of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Jan Bednarek of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary’s Stadium on January 18, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary’s Stadium on January 18, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images) /

Southampton travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League this evening and will want to respond to their loss to Wolves at the weekend.

Ralph Hasenhuttl could be without key defender Jan Bednarek though after the Polish international picked up a knock in Saturday’s defeat.

Bednarek has formed a solid partnership with Jack Stephens in the centre of defence recently and has started every top-flight game so far this season.

He faces a late fitness test to prove he can play this evening but may not be risked anyway, meaning that other options may have to be called on.

Given that Hasenhuttl’s system has worked well in the good run that Saints had been on before the weekend, any changes to the line-up this evening will need to be as  seemless as possible.

Here is a look at three other alternatives to Bednarek and what their inclusion might mean for Saints at Selhurst Park tonight: