SAINTS are aiming to reignite their campaign with some capital punishment. This is the second instalment of trips to London as last time out, Saints ran out deserved winners against QPR and next week they head to the Lions Den to face 6th placed Millwall.
Once again, Southampton will be led by Interim manager Tonda Eckert as he aims to land the job on a full time basis following two wins from his opening two matches. Saints will also be aiming to achieve back to back away victories for the first time since October 2023.
No fresh injury concearns have amounted during the international break, but Oriel Romeu (lacking match fitness), Shea Charles and Ross Stewart (both hamstring) remain out, though Elias Jelert (Quad), Cameron Bragg (hamstring), Sam Edozie and Cameron Archer (both ankle) could return to the 18-man matchday squad.
Charlton Athletic currently sit 9th in Sky Bet Championship with 23 points. They are led by fomer Southampton manager Nathan Jones, in what will be the first time the Welshman takes on his former employers.
Jones who managed just one win in eight Premier League games during his 95 day spell on the south coast is downplaying any sort of biterness he feels towards on how his time ended in February 2023.
The Welshman has refused to be drawn into a war of words with his former employers and doesn’t see it as a revenge mission.
He said: “It’s just another Championship game for us. It’s the next one at The Valley, with a big crowd against an exPremier League team. It’s a wonderful challenge for us, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
“[Southampton] have a wonderful squad and they’ll be a very dangerous side, we know that. But I’m looking forward to going back to our home to see our fans and to challenge ourselves in front of our fans – that’s what I’m most looking forward to.”
The hosts will be without Josh Edwards (ankle), though Matty Godden (Knee), Amari’i Bell (hamstring), Reece Burke (foot) and Charlie Kelman (hamstring) could all return.
The sides have met on 65 previous occasions, with Saints winning 28, Charlton 16 and the other 17 encounters resulting in stalemates.
The last time the two sides met was in April 2011, where Southampton ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Guly Du Prado and Lee Barnard.
