Southampton: Team news and predicted line-up for Wolves cup clash

Southampton travel to Molineux on Thursday evening and will be hoping to book their place in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals with a win over Wolves.

Cup form provided two wins for Saints in January but they have since hit a spell of four consecutive losses in the Premier League.

The incentive of potentially being one game from Wembley will provide motivation for Saints and Wolves though, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s men also experiencing a tough league run.

Ahead of the match, there has been some positive team news for Saints that could help them towards a crucial win.

Walker-Peters returns, Salisu could make first Southampton start

Full-back Kyle Walker-Peters will return to the matchday squad and is likely to start, whilst Mohammed Salisu could make his first Saints appearance since signing back in the summer transfer window.

Both will provide valuable options for upcoming fixtures and ease the burden on other players in the squad who have had to play a lot of minutes to fill in.

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Ralph Hasenhuttl did also confirm in his pre-match press conference that Theo Walcott’s injury is likely to keep him out for a longer period of time, but all players involved in the weekend’s loss at Newcastle appear to be fit. Ibrahima Diallo and Stuart Armstrong are also injured but could potentially return in the near future.

Takumi Minamino scored against Newcastle last Saturday but will be cup tied having played for parent club Liverpool earlier in this competition.

Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that Wolves will be without Willy Boly and Daniel Podence for both upcoming fixtures against Saints, whilst Fernando Marcal is also out.

Rayan Ait Nouri will return to the matchday squad, but Jonny Otto’s return to action is expected to be managed gradually following his ACL injury back in August.

Predicted Saints line-up

Fraser Forster; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jack Stephens, Mohammed Salisu, Ryan Bertrand; James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu; Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond; Danny Ings, Dan N’Lundulu

Kyle Walker-Peters is set to come back in to provide a crucial attacking outlet and strong defensive presence on the right flank where Saints struggled against Newcastle.

Mohammed Salisu could start the game and may take the place of Jannik Vestergaard. The Dane was rushed back into action at the weekend following a knee injury and may be rested.

Dan N’Lundulu may be given a chance to impress from the start after his goal in the FA Cup Third-Round tie versus Shrewsbury Town, whilst Moussa Djenepo will be needed with Takumi Minamino cup tied.