Early Saints team news

Last updated : 29 September 2009 By Simon Collins
The Pirates are sitting pretty in third place after losing just one of their last eight games in League One.

Jo Kuffour was on target at the weekend as Rovers drew 1-1 with Brighton and a resurgent Andy Williams is pushing for a start following his impressive display after coming off the bench against the Seagulls.

But Trollope is likely to stick with on-loan striker Chris Dickson and Kuffour in attack against Alan Pardew's side.

The Pirates will come up against Rickie Lambert for the first time since the prolific striker left the Memorial Stadium to join the Saints back in August.

Southampton defender Wayne Thomas looks set to miss out after he was forced to sit out Saturday's 1-1 draw at Carlisle with a knock and is still struggling.

Thomas has been filling in at right-back as Graeme Murty is still sidelined with a knee injury, so midfielder Lloyd James will now be drafted into the back four again.

Young winger Kayne McLaggon is the only other injury absentee with his Achilles problem.

Back-up goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski has joined Barnsley on an emergency loan so Tommy Forecast will be promoted to the bench as cover for Kelvin Davis.

Rickie Lambert will line up in attack against the side for whom he scored 59 goals in three years before joining Saints earlier this season for £1million.

Sporting Life