Albion have recalled Marcos Painter to their side to face Southampton – but the man who replaced him remains in the team.

Painter returns at left-back after missing the recent win over Barnsley with a knee injury.

Assistant manager Mauricio Taricco, who stood in so ably that afternoon, switches to the right of defence, meaning Inigo Calderon drops to the bench.

The starting line-up is otherwise unchanged from that which beat the Tykes 2-0.

Taricco will go head-to-head with arguably Saints' most creative player Adam Lallana.

Southampton's line-up, skippered from central midfield by Dean Hammond, is as expected.

Albion steadied the ship with that home victory over Barnsley just before the international break but have not won in their last five away games.

Southampton, in contrast, have won their last 19 in league and cup at St Mary's to move five points clear at the top of the Championship They are also unbeaten in their last seven league fixtures, home and away.

A crowd in excess of 30,000 is expected with the Seagulls roared on by more than 3,000 fans.

Southampton: Davis; Richardson, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox; Chaplow, Hammond, Cork, Lallana; Do Prado, Lambert. Subs: Bialkowski, Schneiderlin, Barnard, Martin, De Ridder.

Albion: Harper; Taricco, Greer, Dunk, Painter; Bridcutt, Navarro, Harley; Noone, Paynter, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Ankergren, Calderon, Sparrow, Barnes, LuaLua.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northants)