Crisis? Every Southampton player unavailable against Chelsea

Russell Martin's side picked up a much-needed point on the road to Brighton on Friday, but the result did not come without significant cost.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling all picked up yellow cards to rule them out of the meeting with the Blues as the crisis mounts.

Martin had already been dealing with a full treatment room and three potential starters remain doubts after missing out on the last contest.

Here is every player Saints have unavailable for Chelsea and the reason for their absence...

Unavailable

Tyler Dibling picked up a fifth caution of the season at Brighton (Image: PA) Aaron Ramsdale - Injured.

Gavin Bazunu - Injured.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - Suspended.

Jan Bednarek - Injured.

Juan Larios - Injured.

Flynn Downes - Suspended.

Lesley Ugochukwu - Ineligible to face parent club.

Adam Lallana - Injured.

Tyler Dibling - Suspended.

Ross Stewart - Injured.

Doubts 

Alex McCarthy is tussling with a knee concern (Image: Stuart Martin)

Alex McCarthy - Declared not fit to start on Friday.

Will Smallbone - Not featured since October.

Paul Onuachu - Missed Friday's match through injury. 

Available 

Cameron Archer could lead the line again for Saints (Image: PA)

Joe Lumley.

James Bree.

Yukinari Sugawara.

Kyle Walker-Peters.

Jack Stephens.

Nathan Wood.

Ronnie Edwards.

Armel Bella-Kotchap.

Charlie Taylor.

Ryan Manning.

Ryan Fraser.

Joe Aribo.

Mateus Fernandes.

Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Maxwel Cornet.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw.

Ben Brereton Diaz.

Adam Armstrong.

Cameron Archer.

How could Saints line up?

Ryan Fraser impressed from the bench in Sussex (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC)

Either Joe Lumley or Alex McCarthy could start in the net and ultimately it will probably come down to the fitness of the 34 year old. 

Jack Stephens and Kyle Walker-Peters are shoo-ins but the latter might continue as a wide centre-back to keep Martin's currently preferred 5-3-2 shape.

Around him, it could be any combination of the fit cast, including Nathan Wood. Yukinari Sugawara feels likely despite struggling defensively.

Meanwhile, Ryan Fraser impressed from the bench at Amex Stadium and James Bree is well-liked by Martin but still waiting for his league chance. 

Martin's only fit midfielders are Joe Aribo and Mateus Fernandes so somebody else is going to have to play out of their natural position. 

As the boss still has several full-backs out of position, this means Ryan Manning could be tasked with playing in the number six as he has done before.

Up front, Paul Onuachu is not likely to be 100 per cent fit whatever happens and that likely means Adam Armstrong and Cameron Archer start.

Potential XI: Lumley; Sugawara, Bree, Stephens, Walker-Peters, Fraser; Manning, Aribo, Fernandes; Archer, Armstrong.