NUFC duo in contention for rare start with Howe set to make at least one change at Southampton

With Joelinton serving a one-game ban for Sunday's trip to Southampton, Eddie Howe will be forced to make at least one change this weekend.

Some are tipping Jacob Murphy to return to the side, however big Joe's absence may come at the perfect time for Allan Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey; a duo who've managed just four starts between them all season.

After an injury-hit start to the campaign, both featured from the bench in last weekend's 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

Howe has talked up the need to ease both back in following hamstring injuries - Saint-Maximin hasn't started since that 1-1 draw at Wolves in August - but with a week of training under their belts, Sunday could be the ideal time to reintroduce at least one of them to the starting 11.

Given Joelinton has played on the left of a front three in our last two games, Saint-Maximin could be a direct replacement for the Brazilian.

Alternatively, Shelvey can offer fresh legs and creativity in the middle of the park, giving Howe the option to start one of Willock, Murphy, Fraser or Anderson down the left.

I don't anticipate many changes after we've found a winning formula in recent weeks, but with Saint-Maximin and Shelvey both in contention to start on a weekend where Joelinton will be missing, it'll be interesting to see what Howe goes with!