Pool V Southampton

Southampton visit Bloomfield Road for the first time in 30 years to face Pool who are unbeaten in 3 while the Saints haven't won in 9 games.

Paul Dickov didn't return to the side on Tuesday as expected, Dickov had been injured/ill but it was thought he would return mid-week but it now seems the injury is taking longer to heal and he remains a doubt for Saturday. Gary Taylor-Fletcher wasn't able to finish the full 90 minutes again on Tuesday, Taylor-Fletcher scored his sixth of the season with a header but a groin injury has caused him a few problems.

As we mentioned he's starting to hit form again, he was involved in the goal on Tuesday night and was the instigator of most of the chances in the second half. One point to note its fourteen games since he hit the back of the net.

The Saints are waiting on the fitness of Kelvin Davis, the keeper picked up a dead leg and a dislocated finger. The finger is the main problem and they are not going to play Davis if it risks his future fitness with the run in coming up. Michael Poke the third choice keeper would play with second choice Bartosz Bialkowski injured too.

New manager Nigel Pearson has his work cut out in his first managerial job, Pearson the former assistant manager at Newcastle hasn't won yet, from four games they've lost 1 and drawn three. On 41 points 4 places from the relegation zone they could get pulled in with tough matches against WBA, Charlton, Burnley and Sheffield United.

After a loan period at the St Mary's Stadium the Trinidad & Tobago forward moved to the South coast on a long term basis in part of the deal which took Kenwyn Jones to Sunderland. Since the moved he's scored 14 times making him the Saints top scorer. His last goal came in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich and scored winner in the 1-0 win over Blackpool back in November.

As mentioned The Saints won the first league encounter this season 1-0 with a goal from the man to watch Stern John. The last visit from Southampton was in 1977 a 1-0 for the Saints.

D Foster - From Newcastle- Games: 23 Yellow Cards: 66 Red Cards: 6 - Second game at Championship Level
G Beswick and D Unsworth
Fourth Official : A J Scregg

Blackpool 2 - 0 Southampton

Football League Championship QPR A 11-03-2008

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