Southampton’s pivotal week, FA verdict, Charles sale and cup draw loom | OneFootball

Southampton visit Watford on Sunday as a packed week looms, with an FA ruling, a major sale and a cup draw.

According to Sainstmarching.com, Tonda Eckert is awaiting an FA verdict that could arrive this week. He faces three E3.1 charges for authorising the filming of Oxford, Ipswich and Middlesbrough training, with Saints already expelled from May’s final against Hull City and docked four points.

Shea Charles is set to join Fulham for up to £30m, with a Monday medical, after Saints twice rejected Leeds bids.

The Carabao Cup second-round draw is on Monday night, where Southampton are ball 18 in the southern section. Ties are pencilled in for the week of 24th August after Eckert’s side beat Colchester United 2-0 in round one.

A goalkeeper reshuffle could follow, with Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu behind Daniel Peretz and George Long. Offloading one would free wages, while midfield reinforcements are needed after Charles, with Flynn Downes and Caspar Jander covering and Palace’s Justin Devenny linked. Lewis Dobbin is in as Finn Azaz recovers from a shin injury.

A loan for Manchester City forward Divin Mubama is thought to be close. He scored on his Stoke debut at Derby, added a hat-trick against Bristol City, and still finished third-top league scorer despite an ankle ligament lay-off.

Cameron Archer could go once that loan lands. Wrexham and West Brom were linked on 10 August, and he cost £15m from Aston Villa in 2024. A deal before Sunday remains uncertain.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

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