Robin van Persie is set to lead a host of big names back into the Manchester United starting line-up in a Premier League match at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Skipper Nemanja Vidic and central-defensive partner Rio Ferdinand are also set to be included for the Old Trafford encounter but winger Ashley Young (knee) and defender Jonny Evans (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino admits he has a tough game in his hands.
“No doubt they are going to be tough and complex games against Manchester City and Manchester United but all games are like that.
“All games are key and the glamour factor does not dictate how we play, the main thing is that we go out with a winning mentality and we want to win every single game, we always respect our rivals but our aim has to always be to get the three points,” Pochettino said.
United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, said, “I don’t know a lot about (Mauricio Pochettino) to be honest. Nigel (Adkins) spoke to me the day before he was sacked. You cannot understand these things. Their form had picked up, two defeats in 12 games. I have to be careful what I say about their chairman but apparently he’s a work of art.”
Southampton could welcome club captain Adam Lallana back into their side.