Saints duo fit

Midfielders Anders Svensson and Fabrice Fernandes are both fit to return to Southampton’s squad as they bid to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation with a win at Newcastle tomorrow.

Svensson missed last weekend’s 3-1 FA Cup win at Northampton with a dead leg while Fernandes has been struggling for the last 10 days with a hamstring strain.

Defender Andreas Jakobsson is doubtful after pulling a muscle in his back while Graeme Le Saux, Darren Kenton, Jelle van Damme and Marian Pahars are all all on the long-term injury list.

Team (from): Niemi, Telfer, Lundekvam, Davenport, Higginbotham, Prutton, Delap, Redknapp, McCann, Crouch, Phillips, Dodd, Jakobsson, Blackstock, A Svensson, Fernandes, Nilsson, Ormerod, Oakley, Smith.