3 key Southampton players are suspended for Chelsea clash | OneFootball

For the upcoming Premier League match against Chelsea, Southampton boss Russell Martin is unable to call upon three Southampton key players.

Southampton put some points on the board against Brighton in their last match. Less than a week after playing last time out, Southampton will now host Chelsea at St Marys Stadium.

Unfortunately for Russell Martin, the win against Brighton last week did come at a cost. It was a cagey affair and the drama didn't stop on the touchline. Indeed, the Saints had to fight hard for a point, meaning their players were at risk of cards being shown.

Against Chelsea, three Southampton players will now be suspended.

Considering Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling were all shown their fifth yellow cards of the season against Brighton, all three players will now miss one match for Southampton.

Unfortunately, this means that Russell Martin is unable to call upon all three players against Chelsea. It is a big blow, and means that Southampton must play their weaker options in the respective positions.

Southampton's starting lineups have been pretty consistent this season. Russell Martin has a select group of players who he clearly values.

Without a doubt, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes would have started the match against Chelsea. They have been mainstays in the Southampton lineup this season and especially after scoring his first Southampton goal, the latter would have earned another start.

Tyler Dibling hasn't been an assured starter this season. However, he's not put a foot wrong whenever he's given the opportunity. In fact, he is growing ever so close to starting week in, week out.

So, while Southampton will feel hard-done-by to miss out on three key players, they still have what it takes to build on the momentum. It will be a tough ask against an in-form team, but they cannot let selection issues hold them back from picking up points.