The St Mary’s side take on a fellow promoted team for the first time this season and are looking for their first points of the campaign. Ipswich, managed by Kieran McKenna, have drawn on their lost two outings but remain in the hunt for their first win as a returning Premier League team. Saints midfielder Smallbone, 24, has missed the last two games with a tight hamstring while Sulemana, 22, has been injured since pre-season.
Russell Martin said “Smallbone is not quite back. He’ll be another week or so, Will, and hopefully, he’ll be in contention next week. I’ll keep you posted on that but not quite yet. Kamaldeen is not yet back training with the group so hopefully in the next week or so back training with the group. He will be moderated and being looked after a little bit so he’s still a way off getting fully fit and playing and helping us on the pitch at the minute.”
Saints have a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise, with a handful of players out of the squad set to play for the under-21s on Friday evening. Saints take on Ipswich Town from 3pm on Saturday, September 21, after suffering defeat in both matches against the Tractor Boys last season.
