Saints travel to Crewe still looking for their first points on the road under George Burley. Saints away jinx goes all the way back to the goalless draw with Wolves in November.
Despite struggling at the foot of the Championship, Dario Gradi’s team will present a tough challenge for Saints; they picked up an excellent point with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Utd last week.
George Burley
‘Our last two away performances against Reading and Newcastle were much better.
‘But we’ve got to be solid as a team and maybe that’s not been the case’
Burley’s also wary of Crewe after their recent results:
‘I watched them on television last week and they got a good point against Sheffield United.
‘And they won their last home game against Brighton so they have got their tails up at the moment’
Crewe Team News:
Crewe are missing left back Anthony Tomkin through inury. Gary Roberts faces a late fitness test on his hamstring problem.
Crewe’s injury problems have eased somewhat with the return of Eddie Johnson, Adie Moses and David Vaughan.
Player to watch: Lee Bull
Vital Crewe believe Bull has been Crewe’s dangerous player of late, stating ‘The enthusiastic midfielder has been in excellent form of late. After scoring a somewhat fortuitous goal during the last home game, the midfielder was superb at Sheffield United showing real commitment and desire’
Saints Team News:
Saints injury list has grown recently; impressive defender Alexander Ostlund and striker Kenwyne Jones are the latest additions, both will be absent today after failing late fitness tests.
Djamel Belmadi and Matt Oakley are also unlikley to return from injury.
Martin Cranie and David Prutton are both definately still out.
Player to watch: Dexter Blackstock
Dexter has been confined to the bench in recent matches, due to the good form of Kenwyne Jones. But the young striker is always a goalscoring threat and will be eager to prove himself alongside Gregorsz Rasiak.
