Southampton

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Southampton boss Tonda Eckert says playing Leicester City twice in five days will not impact on their approach to Tuesday night's Championship game - but it may do for the FA Cup tie on Saturday.

Saints travel to the King Power Stadium in the league before welcoming the Foxes to St Mary's in the cup at the weekend.

When asked if the double-header changes how they prepare, Eckert said: "Maybe the second game. I think the first one, not so much.

"Obviously we need to watch a couple of images now with a change of manager just to get an idea if they have changed much because the last game was a red card after 15 minutes, so not too much to take away.

"But I think, in effect, it is more for the game on Saturday rather than the Tuesday one."

Eckert expects to make changes to the starting line-up against Leicester despite the 1-0 win over Watford at the weekend.

"I think the quality that we have at the moment is that we have a high availability," he added.

"I think that we have so much quality that at the moment not starting games but are ready to and we might need some fresh legs on Tuesday just for the fact it's a short break, two days only and it's an away game.

"So let's assess a couple of players over the next days but I would assume that we have a couple of changes in the starting eleven."

Southampton are 14th but just four points outside the play-off places after a run of three wins in their past four games - the other one was drawn.

Leicester City and Southampton will put their opposing veins of form to the test when they meet at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

The Foxes have lost four of their past five Championship matches (D1) and a six point deduction means they only steer clear of the relegation zone on goal difference.

While Saints have won three of their past four (D1) and are now just four points shy of the play-off places.

• Leicester City have won four of their last five home league games against Southampton (L1), winning 5-0 in April 2024 when the sides last met at the King Power Stadium in the Championship.

• Southampton won 3-0 in the reverse fixture with Leicester City in November this season and could now complete a league double over the Foxes for the first time since the 2022-23 Premier League campaign – they last did so outside of the top-flight in 2007-08 in the Championship.

• Leicester City have lost their last two home league games, last losing three in a row in the same Championship campaign in their final three home matches of the 2006-07 campaign under Nigel Worthington.

• Southampton's 2-0 win at Stoke last month ended a run of six Championship away games without victory (D2 L4), and the Saints could win back-to-back league matches of the road for only the second time since the start of last season, previously doing so in November this season.

• Leicester City are winless in each of their last 11 midweek league matches (Tue/Wed/Thu – D4 L7), since a 3-1 home win over West Ham in December 2024. Their last such win in the Championship was at home to Southampton in April 2024 (5-0).

Southampton goalscorer Cyle Larin highlighted the importance of "cherishing" the moment after scoring on his Saints debut.

The forward scored just three minutes after coming off the bench, heading the ball into the net after James Bree sent the ball in from a corner.

The St Mary's crowd were then singing his name as they celebrated his contribution that led to a big three points against Watford.

"It's a great feeling to score my first goal but it's also great to have a win with that," Larin told BBC Radio Solent.

"You have to cherish these moments. Since I came to Southampton, the staff and players have been very welcoming which has made it easier for me.

"When you feel good it translates on to the pitch. I've been a lot of places in my career and I think my experience helps me to adapt really quickly, I gel really well with the group.

"We should be higher in the table but that's football, if you go on a run in this league then that can change."

Saints are next in action when they travel away to Leicester City in midweek.

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Southampton will aim to continue their push for the play-offs when they welcome managerless Watford to St Mary's on Saturday (12:31 GMT).

Saints impressed in a 2-0 win at Stoke last Saturday to make it seven points from three games, the first of which was a 1-0 victory against Sheffield United in their most recent home game.

They sit 14th, seven points adrift of the play-off places with 16 games remaining, and four behind Watford, who lie eighth, despite being winless in six games in all competitions.

Javi Gracia left Vicarage Road in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Swansea but the Hornets earned a creditable goalless draw at Hull City on Tuesday to extend their unbeaten run on the road to five matches.

• Southampton have lost just one of their past 10 league games against Watford (W4 D5), going down 2-1 at home in March 2022.

• Watford have lost two of their past three away league games against Southampton (W1), as many as they had in their previous eight visits to St Mary's (W4 D2).

• Southampton have lost just one of their eight home league games under Tonda Eckert (W5 D2), going down 2-1 against Hull City last month.

• Watford are winless in their past five league games (D3 L2), scoring just two goals in that run. They had won their previous four in the Championship.

• Southampton have scored 43 goals from an xG of 52 in the Championship this season, with only Blackburn (27 goals, 37.5 xG) underperforming their expected goals more than the Saints (-9).

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Adam Armstrong has thanked Southampton and paid tribute to the club's fanbase after completing his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 28-year-old sealed a deadline day switch to Molineux on Monday to end a four-and-a-half-year spell on the south coast.

Armstrong scored 43 goals in 174 appearances for the Saints after moving to St Mary's from Blackburn Rovers in 2021, and was part of the squad that earned Premier League promotion in 2024.

"It's been a rollercoaster of a journey for all of us, the highs and the lows," Armstrong wrote on Instagram.

"Thanks to the club for putting faith in me, the staff and players who have helped me along the way and the fans.

"I hope i have given you enough moments that you will remember, the goals, the celebrations, the misses, the wins and especially the play off final, what a day that was.

"As a fanbase you are knowledgeable and passionate but show compassion when we have faced difficult moments.

"The biggest honour given to me was I was able to captain this fantastic football club, not many people get that honour and I want you all to know I gave it my all everyday and every moment on and off the pitch and tried to represent you all in the best way I could.

"This isn't a goodbye as our paths will cross not only on the football pitch but off it.

"Our two children were born here and as they get older we will always bring them back, my family and I have a new chapter in our life to forge but our lives have been bettered by having this time in Southampton.

"See you all soon, the Armstrong's."

Watch back BBC Radio Solent's transfer deadline day show which covered all the breaking news and talking points from Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth.

Jono Holmes talks you though all the action as it unfolded, as well as views from expert commentators, pundits and fans.

There was even some special guests from each club that joined the show...

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Southampton defender Armel Bella-Kotchap's loan move to Serie A side Hellas Verona has been turned into a permanent transfer.

BBC Radio Solent report that Saints will receive €5m (£4.32m) for the centre-half, who was signed by the club in 2022.

So far this season, Bella-Kotchap has played 15 times for the Italian side across all competitions. They currently sit bottom of the league in 20th, four points from safety.

He made 31 appearances for Southampton and the loan to Serie A was his second since joining Saints, coming after a spell with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2023.

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Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's move to AC Milan is in serious doubt over issues with his medical, according to multiple BBC Sport sources.

The 28-year-old France forward had additional medical tests on Monday but the Italian side are set to pull out of the £30m deal.

Mateta, who has been nursing a knee issue, had an initial medical examination on Sunday.

The Eagles have agreed a £48m deal for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and had granted Mateta permission to have a medical in London before flying to Milan.

Palace still intend to try to sign Strand Larsen.

Wolves, meanwhile, were moving to replace Strand Larsen and are close to reaching a deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for an initial £7m.

There is growing confidence the move will be done with the Premiership's bottom club Wolves in danger of relegation to the Championship.

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Southampton defender Juan Larios has completed a loan move to Real Zaragoza.

The 22-year-old has joined the Spanish second tier side for the remainder of the current campaign.

He had previously been on loan at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa for the first six months of the season, making just three starts.

Zaragoza are currently second from bottom in the Segunda Division with former Southampton and Hull City boss Ruben Selles in charge, having taken over in October.

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Today is the final chance of the season for your Championship team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Wolves are close to agreeing a deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for an initial £7m - as forward Jorgen Strand Larsen moves closer to joining Crystal Palace.

There is a growing confidence the move will get done as Wolves build for an expected relegation to the Championship.

The 28-year-old has 11 goals for Saints in the Championship this season, contributing to a tally of 43 for the club since joining from Blackburn in 2021.

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert spoke to BBC Radio Solent following their win against Stoke City.

"It's a tough ground to come to. It's not an easy place to play. We knew how important this was and we've been working for so long to earn more clean sheets," he said.

"I think you can see that we are moving forward. Today the dead ball situations were on our side and that's what makes a difference in the end.

"I definitely think we're going in the right direction first and foremost. Obviously there are many more games to play.

"You know how quick things change in both directions. We need to take the positive from the last game to make sure we continue, especially with the home games coming up."