SAINTS have not had the ideal preparation for the visit of promotion rivals Leicester City with the majority of their squad playing in internationals.

Manager Russell Martin had as few as 10 senior outfield players to train with on Monday morning but that had increased by Wednesday.

Both Saints and Leicester suffered first defeats of the season last time out and will be looking to put that right but both sides play similar possession styles and could clash.

Control will likely be the aim of the game in this one. Here is how we think Martin will line his Saints side up for the third match at St Mary’s this campaign…

Goalkeeper

Martin’s belief in Gavin Bazunu becoming a tremendous goalkeeper is genuine and unwavering as he backs the Republic of Ireland international to keep the number one shirt.

Defenders

Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning are certain starters on either side of the centre-back pairing but have offered considerably more going forward than backward so far this season.

Jan Bednarek is touch and go but Martin will hope the Poland international can play, and he could be partnered by Northern Ireland senior Shea Charles or Mason Holgate again. 

Daily Echo: Former Manchester City midfielder Shea Charles has impressed early on but faces tough competition

Midfielders

Charles probably could start here instead and would help Saints in the transition but Flynn Downes had the full international break to work with his former boss.

Charly Alcaraz had some time off during the international break due to family circumstances but could return to the XI, playing off Will Smallbone. 

Attackers

Ryan Fraser also stayed behind during the international break and has impressed onlookers – could he be penned into the right-wing role with Kamaldeen Sulemana’s fitness still limited?

Adam Armstrong can operate off the left and give Sam Edozie a rest after international duty, with Che Adams returning from Scotland to lead the line against his hometown club.

Daily Echo: Ryan Fraser made his Southampton debut during Saturday's 2-1 win over QPR

Full predicted team:

Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Charles, Bednarek, Manning; Downes, Smallbone, Alcaraz; Fraser, A Armstrong, Adams.