Southampton are due to host Blackburn Rovers tonight with Tonda Eckert weighing up five changes, including the possibility of resting Finn Azaz after the midfielder picked up a knock against Derby County on Saturday.
The manager could also turn to Jack Stephens ahead of Nathan Wood and Joshua Quarshie, while Welington may return in place of Manning and Cameron Bragg could be handed a chance to give Flynn Downes a rest. Daniel Peretz also has a fine record of keeping clean sheets at home, which gives Southampton another reason to trust the reshuffle.
The selection call comes after Southampton completed a comeback win over Derby, when James Bree was excellent and Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored the winner. That result kept their momentum moving as they try to close the gap on Ipswich Town to three points tonight.
Blackburn arrive in steadier form, unbeaten in five matches since losing to Oxford United in March. That run gives the visitors enough confidence to make the night awkward for Southampton, who are already juggling the FA Cup semi-final and the run-in.
For Southampton, the calculation is simple: protect bodies, keep the points coming and stay within touching distance of Ipswich. For Blackburn, the challenge is to extend a five-match unbeaten run that has changed the mood since March.
