Paulo Gazzaniga is pushing for a return to the Saints side after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The 20-year-old appeared to have cemented himself as the club’s new number one until injury forced him out of the win over Reading.

Kelvin Davis stepped in and put in an assured performance to keep a clean sheet and help Saints to victory.

Now both stoppers are available again for tomorrow’s game with Sunderland, posing Adkins a well trodden dilemma.

The Saints boss has chopped and changed keepers this season with Davis, Gazzaniga and Artur Boruc all starting league matches.

He must now decide whether to stick with Davis, for his 600th regular league season appearance, or change back again.

“Paulo has been on the training ground,” said Adkins. “Today he had a proper training session. “Kelvin played against Reading because Paulo was injured.

“He came in and did very well. He kept a clean sheet and put a good performance in so we've got good competition for places and that is important.”

Adam Lallana will be Saints’ only absentee tomorrow.

Frazer Richardson and Richard Chaplow have overcome their respective injuries to feature, if needed.

The injury boosts are timely for Adkins heading into a hectic schedule of five games in 15 days.

Saints were a little unlucky to get so many of the Premier League’s big guns in their opening fixtures, but have more recently found themselves facing teams at the right time.

They are also hoping to benefit from an enforced two-week break because of Chelsea’s involvement in the World Club Championships in Japan.

That postponement means Saints have had enjoyed a clear fortnight between matches. It has allowed them to get a fully fit squad, Lallana aside, in place ready for the busy festive period.

Aside from Morgan Schneiderlin they are also not close to picking up many suspensions, all of which augers well for the festive and New Year period which can be so crucial in making a season tick.

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