Southampton can be satisfied to have received £8m for a 33-year-old centre-back who was minded to move on but when José Fonte returns to St Mary’s with West Ham, the home club may wish they had been able to hold on to him a little longer. Virgil van Dijk’s injury leaves Claude Puel with few central defensive options. But if Saints manage to plug the gap at the back and take their chances up front they could still have the last laugh. Paul Doyle
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue St Mary’s
Last season Southampton 1 West Ham Utd 0
Referee Graham Scott
This season G4, Y13, R1, 3.5 cards per game
Odds H 4-5 A 4-1 D 14-5
Southampton
Subs from Taylor, Martina, Stephens, Davis, Rodriguez, Sims, Ward-Prowse, Boufal, Gabbiadini, Hassen
Doubtful Rodriguez (ankle), Ward-Prowse (chest)
Injured Hesketh (ankle, 11 Feb), Targett (hamstring, Mar), Austin (shoulder, Apr), Van Dijk (ankle, Apr), Pied (knee, Jun), McCarthy (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLLLWL
Discipline Y34 R2
Leading scorer Austin 6
West Ham Utd
Subs from Adrián, Spiegel, Collins, Nordtveit, Fernandes, Quina, Feghouli, Fletcher, Calleri, Kouyaté
Doubtful Byram (hamstring), Nordtveit (ankle)
Injured Masuaku (knee, 25 Feb), Sakho (back, Mar), Ogbonna (knee, Aug), Arbeloa (calf, unknown), Töre (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Unavailable Ayew (Africa Cup of Nations)
Form WLLWWL
Discipline Y55 R3
Leading scorer Antonio 8
