The 6 players set to miss Southampton v Coventry City ft Brandon Thomas-Asante | OneFootball

Southampton host leaders Coventry City in what is a huge game for both clubs as they look to win promotion from the Championship.

Southampton take on Coventry City on Saturday in what promises to be an exciting clash between two teams who hope to win promotion this season.

The hosts have improved considerably since Tonda Eckert replaced Will Still, and whilst they suffered a disappointing defeat at Norwich City last time out, Saints are playing some good football under the former U21 boss.

Meanwhile, Coventry are the team to beat in the Championship right now. Frank Lampard’s side boast a five-point lead over Middlesbrough, but, crucially, they’re 12 points above third-place, so automatic promotion looks like a real possibility for the Sky Blues.

Southampton team news ahead of Coventry City game as Tom Fellows returns

Despite Coventry’s quality, Saints will fancy their chances against any team at this level on their own patch, and Eckert has a 100% record at St. Mary’s Stadium since his appointment.

Pleasingly for Southampton, the major team news ahead of the game is that Tom Fellows is set to return to the squad.

The winger has been transformed since the new boss has come in, with his pace and ability down the right flank key to the balance of the team, and he was sorely missed at Carrow Road.

However, Eckert doesn’t have a fully-fit squad to choose from, with Mads Roerslev, Elias Jelert, Shea Charles and Ross Stewart all out, with the quartet having missed the recent games for the south coast outfit.

There are also doubts over Damion Downs, who hasn’t featured recently, but Eckert suggested he was close to being involved against Norwich, so the extra week will have benefited the striker, who has struggled since his summer arrival from Koln.

Coventry City will be without Brandon Thomas-Asante for Southampton trip

Coventry don’t have the biggest squad in the league, with Lampard having had to deal with some important players at different points of the campaign.

Right now, the Sky Blues are without Brandon Thomas-Asante, which is a big blow for the team, as he is the top scorer for the league leaders, but he went off against Middlesbrough on November 25 with a hamstring injury, and he is still working his way back to fitness.

Elsewhere, there are no fresh problems for Lampard, with goalkeeper Oliver Dovin a long-term absentee with a knee issue, although Carl Rushworth has been superb since joining from Brighton in the summer.

The injury situation may not be too bad for Coventry at the moment, but Jay Dasilva, Liam Kitching, Victor Torp and Haji Wright are all one booking away from a suspension, so Lampard will be hoping that they can get through the game at Southampton without picking up a caution.