Stoke City team news vs Southampton as Narcis Pelach makes eight changes
Tatsuki Seko makes his full Stoke City debut as Narcis Pelach makes mass changes to his starting XI against Southampton.
Seko comes into midfield next to captain Jordan Thompson for this fourth round tie at St Mary’s (7.45pm) when the teams are fighting for a chance to get into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Jack Bonham makes his first start of the season in goal and Andre Vidigal makes his first start this term up front. Sol Sidibe returns to the starting XI having starred in the previous round against Fleetwood.
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Michael Rose and Jaden Dixon return to the back line, joined by Ashley Phillips, who made his first start under Pelach at Sheffield United on Saturday. It’s Junior Tchamadeu and Eric Bocat in the wing-back roles.
Tom Cannon leads the line after playing 45 minutes at Bramall Lane and Vidigal is expected to join him in attack.
There is a place on the bench for 16-year-old left-back Laurence Giani, who is called up to a match day squad for the first time having only made his under-21s debut on Friday. He meets up with Italy under-17s tomorrow.
Stoke: Bonham, Tchamadeu, Bocat, Dixon, Rose, Phillips, Thompson, Seko, Sidibe, Vidigal, Cannon. Subs: Fielding, Anderson, Giani, Moran, Burger, Tezgel, Manhoef, Koumas, Ennis.