Southampton head into tonight's clash against Bristol City with skipper Dean Hammond likely to make a return to the starting lineup following his exclusion from the Saints' win over Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

Nigel Adkins' striker David Connolly is expected to feature for the home side after he returned from a two-month layoff on Monday.

Bristol City, who could record a consecutive double over the former Premier League side if they win tonight, are without their captain Liam Fontaine due to a knee injury.

If the home side clinch victory over their Championship opponents, they will go six points clear of West Ham United at the top of the table. The Robins are desperate for points as they hover above the drop zone in 21st place.

Current form:

Southampton: LWLDDW
Bristol City: WWDLLL

Possible lineups:

Southampton: Davis; Richardson, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox; Connolly, Hammond, Cork, Lallana; Do Prado, Lambert

Crystal Palace: Speroni; Ramage, McCarthy, Gardner, Clyne; O'Keefe, Dikgacoi; Parr, Scannell, Zaha; Murray

Sports Mole says: 2-1