Saints' trio return for Old Trafford test

Southampton head coach Steve Wigley will welcome three key players back to his squad for the trip to Manchester United.

Antti Niemi is competing with on-loan Tottenham goalkeeper Kasey Keller to start after three weeks out following knee surgery.

Striker James Beattie has overcome a calf strain which forced him to miss last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace while defender Claus Lundekvam is fit after a virus.

Kevin Phillips or teenager Dexter Blackstock will partner Beattie in attack but Marian Pahars, Matthew Oakley, Neil McCann and Michael Svensson are still injured.

Team (from): Keller, Dodd, Lundekvam, Kenton, Le Saux, Fernandes, Telfer, Delap, A Svensson, Beattie, Phillips, Blackstock, Prutton, van Damme, Nilsson, Higginbotham, Jakobsson, Griffit, Folly, Keller.