Phillips back for Pompey cup clash

Southampton striker Kevin Phillips is expected to recover from illness in time to face south-coast rivals Portsmouth in tomorrow’s Carling Cup fourth-round showdown at St Mary’s.

Phillips sat out training today due to the bug but boss Gordon Strachan is optimistic he will be fit to start against Pompey.

However, left-back Graeme Le Saux will not feature due to his hamstring problem.

Forward pair Marian Pahars and Agustin Delgado have just returned after long-term ankle and back injuries respectively.

Team (from): Niemi, Dodd, Telfer, Lundekvam, M Svensson, Fernandes, Delap, A Svensson, Marsden, Beattie, Ormerod, Phillips, Delgado, Griffit, Higginbotham, Pahars, Hall, Prutton, Jones.