Young goalkeeper Michael Pook could be handed his first ever Southampton start in Saturday's clash with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.The 22-year-old made his Saints debut as a half-time substitute at Wolves on Tuesday after Kelvin Davis suffered a dislocated finger, and with Davis a doubt for the trip to the north west, he could be given the nod with Bartosz Bialkowski (thumb) a long-term absentee.

Nigel Pearson - who is still looking for his first win since taking over - also lost Inigo Idiakez to a hamstring injury in the first half of the 2-2 draw at Molineux and he will miss out, but defender Gregory Vignal is able to play after his red card in the same game was rescinded on appeal.

Midfielder Andrew Surman and defender Alexander Ostlund have both returned to full training but are unlikely to force their way into Pearson's starting XI, while the Saints boss is expected to make late decisions on defenders Ian Pearce (ankle) and Darren Powell (calf).

Defender Chris Makin (hip) and midfielder Nathan Dyer (ankle) are long-term absentees while injury-ravaged club captain Claus Lundekvam is ruled out for the rest of the season with his ankle injury.

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