Saints to be without Ryan Manning for Preston clash

SOUTHAMPTON FC will be without Ryan Manning for their Championship clash with Preston North End tomorrow night.

The left back received his fifth yellow card of the season during their match against Hull City on Saturday, and will now have to serve a single match ban.

During the south-coast side’s time back in the English Football League, Manning has started 11 games, playing the full 90 minutes, only missing one due to injury.

Saints are left without a solid back-up for the Irishman since the only remaining replacement, Romain Perraud, joined Ligue 1 side Nice on a season long loan.

It is likely that Russell Martin will make some changes to the starting eleven regardless, due to having three games to play in the competition within a week.

Martin told the media in today’s pre match press conference: “We are in a place where we really trust the players so there may be an opportunity for one or two players this week who haven’t played a lot.

“We’ve had a really consistent 11 for a while, in an ideal world we would keep that together. But the guys who came off the bench on Saturday made a massive impact. There will be opportunities and they have to take it.”

Newcastle loanee Ryan Fraser came off the bench for Saints at The MKM Stadium on Saturday and scored in the 95th minute.

He sent his side into a late lead which minutes later earned them three points, making it a great result for the team, consequently moving them up to 5th in the table.

The 29-year-old winger is likely to feature tomorrow night for their midweek fixture under the lights at Deepdale Stadium.