Tony Mowbray is relishing working with a squad which is keen to learn as he seeks to guide West Brom back into the Premier League.Mowbray was named Championship Manager of the Month for September after the Baggies took 13 points from a possible 15.

They began October by being held to a 1-1 home draw against Stoke which sees them third in the table going into Saturday's game at Southampton.

Mowbray told the club's official website: "We're on a journey this season and we've got targets and aims.

"It's very early on in the season and we'll take each game as it comes and try and entertain as we go along.

"So far we've scored plenty of goals and our defence is much tighter, it's all about getting that balance right.

"The group of players we've got here are fantastic to work with, they look me right in the eye and want to learn and develop."

Mowbray is sweating on the fitness of top scorer Kevin Phillips, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.

He added: "His injury didn't clear up as quickly as we thought, I'm sure it's only going to be a matter of days though."

Grzegorz Rasiak and Kelvin Davis face late fitness checks ahead of the game at St Mary's.

Rasiak is struggling with a slight knee injury and goalkeeper Davis has a shoulder problem after falling awkwardly during Tuesday's heavy defeat at Preston.

Charlton will be without Lloyd Sam for the visit of Barnsley in a clash between the teams second and fourth in the table.

Sam was sent off for his part in the brawl which marred Tuesday night's 2-1 win at Hull and begins a three-match ban after Charlton's appeal against the red card was unsuccessful.

Struggling Sheffield United will be without Keith Gillespie, Gary Naysmith and Nick Montgomery for the trip to Bristol City.

Gillespie was forced off during the midweek draw with Cardiff with a strained hamstring, Naysmith continues to struggle with the same problem and Montgomery has been diagnosed with pleurisy.

Blades boss Bryan Robson could be tempted to make tactical changes as his side chase their first league win in five matches.

Defenders Matt Kilgallon and Chris Lucketti will be hoping to return to the starting line-up, as will striker Billy Sharp, who has yet to register his first league goal for the club.

Martin Paterson is hoping for a recall to Scunthorpe's starting line-up for the visit of league leaders Watford.

The Iron's top goalscorer had to be satisfied with a place on the bench in midweek at Norwich following a knee injury.

Manager Nigel Adkins has no new injury or suspension news and is not expected to make many changes to his line-up.

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd has Brazilian midfielder Douglas Rinaldi back in contention but he will have to settle for a place on the bench alongside Jobi McAnuff and Nathan Ellington.

Sheffield Wednesday could be without eight first-team players for the visit of Leicester.

Striker Francis Jeffers and Richard Wood both missed the midweek defeat at Watford with groin injuries and remain doubtful.

Defender Steve Watson (knee) and Wade Small (ankle) also sat out the trip to Vicarage Road and face late fitness tests.

Manager Brian Laws faces further selection headaches with defender Richard Hinds (hand), Frank Simek (ankle), Tommy Spurr (dead-leg) and Akpo Sodje (knee) all carrying injuries.

Elsewhere, Wolves are at home to Coventry, Blackpool take on Plymouth and Burnley make the trip to Cardiff.

Hull will look to cement their place in mid-table at Crystal Palace, Ipswich face struggling Preston and Colchester travel to Stoke.

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