SAINTS are optimistic that Rickie Lambert will be fit enough to come straight back into the side to face Blackpool.

The striker was forced off with just under 20 minutes to go in the St Mary’s win over Hull with a hip problem.

As a result, he missed only his second game through injury since joining the club over two years ago in the defeat to bottom of the table Doncaster.

Saints missed not only his goals but also his presence as they chopped and changed formations and styles in search of something to get them going at the Keepmoat Stadium.

It showed once more just how vital Lambert is to Saints’ fortunes, particularly with no like-for-like replacement in the squad and with David Connolly injured and Lee Barnard still finding his way back to full fitness.

Assuming Lambert is ready to play tomorrow , he is expected to slot straight back into the side and partner Guly do Prado in attack.

Nigel Adkins opted to start the Doncaster match with Do Prado playing as a lone striker with Morgan Schneiderlin just in behind him.

Adam Lallana and Steve De Ridder took wide roles in midfield to try and support while Dean Hammond and Jack Cork screened the back four.

That formation got changed several times in the second half, but all to no avail.

The big question for Adkins, if he can call on Lambert once more, will be who will make way in midfield?

Lallana should be on the left but, with Richard Chaplow still out through injury, it could be De Ridder who misses out on the right of midfield if Adkins decides to keep Hammond, Cork and Schneiderlin in the side.

If not, he faces the prospect of axing one of them.

The other option for Adkins would come if he decided Barnard, pictured, was suddenly fit enough to start.

That would give him the chance to partner Lambert and Barnard together and pull Do Prado back to the right of midfield, the position where he has played much of his Saints career.

That may be the eventual aim anyway, but will depend on the fitness of the two front men to make it happen now.