Southampton are set to be without centre-half Alan Bennett when they take on Leicester in the FA Cup third round at St Mary's on Saturday.George Burley is in talks with Reading to extend Bennett's loan deal on the south coast, but the Royals do not want him to become cup-tied.

Rudi Skacel is fit following flu and should rejoin the defence at left-back, allowing Jermaine Wright to switch to right-back and Wayne Thomas to move into the centre alongside Andrew Davies.

Inigo Idiakez (Achilles) and Darren Powell (calf) are back in training but will be short of match fitness and are unlikely to make the squad.

Nathan Dyer, Claus Lundekvam (both ankle), Marek Saganowski (groin), Alexander Ostlund (hamstring) and Chris Makin (hip) are still on the sick list.

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