Southampton welcome Leicester City to St Mary's on Saturday afternoon as the two teams prepare to do battle for the second time in five days.
As the Saints' first team Head Coach, Tonda Eckert, prepares to make “a couple of changes“, there could be a perfect opportunity for 32-year-old loanee, George Long, to make his debut in goal.
Opportunities for Long have been sparse. Since arriving on loan from Norwich City, he has been involved in just three first team squads, without making an appearance.
A relatively low-stakes cup-tie could provide the perfect opportunity for Long to make his debut.
Saints bring in experienced keeper for injury cover
Southampton have completed the signing of veteran goalkeeper Jamie Jones on a short-term deal until the end of the season. He has been signed to provide emergency cover for Alex McCarthy, who has been ruled out for at least a few weeks with a wrist injury. Jones has more than 350 appearances in the Football League.
Adding a third senior keeper to the squad should enable Eckert to avoid further call-ups from Adam Lallana's Under-21 squad. Jones fits the bill perfectly as he has EFL experience with Leyton Orient, Wigan Athletic and Preston North End.
He was playing non-league football with Warrington Town just weeks before joining Saints, showing how unexpected this signing has been.
Why Jones might start on the bench tomorrow
With Saints due to face Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow, there are massive questions about who Tonda Eckert might select to start. Daniel Peretz and George Long are ahead of Jones in the pecking order. But if Long makes his debut, Eckert could provide Peretz with a complete rest by springing a surprise and giving Jones the remaining spot on the bench.
Eckert will have one eye on the busy fixture list in the Championship, and a fourth-round cup-tie will be low on the coach's priority list now that Southampton are well and truly back in the play-off hunt.
However, Eckert has already said he considers the competition beautiful and is well aware that this is the 50th anniversary of the club's most memorable day. With that in mind, he could opt to continue with Peretz in goal, meaning that Jones would need to be content to sit this one out.
Jones is not the first (or even second) choice, but his presence strengthens competition in training and gives the squad extra security. Saints have had issues with goalkeeper cover recently, and adding Jones restores depth in a key position.
Jones has arrived at a pivotal moment in Southampton's season. The club's run of three consecutive wins has coincided with Peretz's arrival and his good form in goal. Taking Peretz out of the team could be the smart move, removing any injury concerns.
Whether he starts on the bench or remains backup to Peretz and Long, Saints will feel more comfortable having him around, and that could make a difference if the season stretches into two or three extra fixtures.