TUCHEL HAS THE LOW-DOWN ON THE SAINTS

RALPH HASENHUTTL says Southampton will need “the perfect game-plan” to outwit Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.

The Saints manager clashed with Tuchel four times in Germany when the latter was managing Borussia Dortmund – and he lost three of them. And if that record stacks the odds against Hasenhuttl (left), whose side have lost six Premier League games on the spin, there is an added complication of a spy in the camp in the shape of Tuchel’s assistant Zsolt Low.

Hungarian Low spent two years as Hasenhuttl’s righthand man at RB Leipzig before following Tuchel to

PSG and knows the Saints boss inside out. “It is going to be very difficult for us because he knows our shape very well. He knows everything about us,” said Hasenhuttl of Low. “We are going to need a perfect game-plan, especially against the ball, and we need very passionate performances.”

COVENTRY v BRENTFORD (12.30pm)

Sam McCallum could return for Coventry while keeper Ben Wilson and skipper Kyle McFadzean are now both fully recovered from Covid-19.

Ethan Pinnock could return for Brentford after being rested but Pontus Jansson remains sidelined following ankle surgery.

CARDIFF CITY

Jonny Williams is in line for a belated Cardiff debut at home after recovering from a knock. Sheyi Ojo is also fit, but Joe Ralls (ankle) and Junior Hoilett (calf) remain out.

Preston hope to have Ryan Ledson back after he missed the loss to Watford through injury.

MILLWALL v PRESTON NORTH END v WYCOMBE WANDERERS

Jake Cooper (dislocated shoulder) is sidelined for Millwall, with Kenneth Zohore (ankle) also expected to miss out.

Fred Onyedinma and Admiral Muskwe could start up front for Wycombe, with Nnamdi Ofoborh pushing hard for a start in midfield.

NORWICH CITY

Norwich will have Jordan Hugill back in their squad following a hamstring injury but Marco Stiepermann and Sam Byram remain sidelined.

Chiedozie Ogbene (knee) and Jamie Lindsay (hamstring) are out for Rotherham along with Joe Mattock (ankle).

QPR v ROTHERHAM UNITED v AFC BOURNEMOUTH

QPR will have striker Macauley Bonne available following illness and defender Jordy De Wijs (calf) could also return.

Bournemouth captain Steve Cook (adductor) is set to miss out, with Dominic Solanke (ankle) and Jack Stacey (thigh) also sidelined.

SHEFF WED v BIRMINGHAM CITY

Wednesday caretaker Neil Thompson has no new concerns, although Andre Green, Massimo Luongo and Moses Odubajo, are all still sidelined.

Birmingham will make late decisions on Harlee Dean and Sam Cosgrove because of ankle injuries.

BRISTOL CITY v BARNSLEY

Bristol City are still without Joe Williams, Alfie Mawson, Jay Dasilva, Tommy Rowe, Cameron Pring and George Nurse.

Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael is expected to choose from an unchanged squad, with Callum Styles set to feature again in midfield.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN v SWANSEA CITY

Richard Stearman (hamstring), Jaden Brown (concussion protocols) and Rarmani EdmondsGreen (hip) have all come through fitness tests for Huddersfield

Swansea have no new injury concerns, with Korey Smith (below) having returned in midweek from a quad strain.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Forest should welcome back Luke Freeman having missed the defeat to Swansea after his wife gave birth and Ryan Yates (calf) could be in contention.

Bradley Johnson and Joe Rankin-Costello (hamstring) are both out for Blackburn along with Daniel Ayala (groin).

READING v MIDDLESBROUGH

Reading will welcome back Josh Laurent after he was rested in midweek but Yakou Meite (groin), John Swift (hamstring) and Felipe Araruna (knee) miss out.

Paddy McNair will be available for Boro after his midweek red card was overturned.

STOKE CITY

v BLACKBURN v LUTON TOWN

Stoke defender Nathan Collins is facing a lengthy lay-off with a fractured bone in his foot, with Morgan Fox (hamstring) also out.

Luton will be without defender Tom Lockyer (ankle) but Matty Pearson is expected to return after a hamstring problem.

AITOR KARANKA admits Birmingham are experiencing a “nightmare”.

Brum’s Spanish coach is feeling the heat from fans after City slipped to second from bottom, having won just once in 13 games. Blues visit Sheffield Wednesday, a place above them, today.

Karanka said: “It’s difficult to watch your team in every game make mistakes. I understand why the fans criticise me.

“But them not being in the stadium is a nightmare. With them in the stadium we wouldn’t be in this situation.”