Mark Hughes has given his thoughts ahead of Southampton’s Carabao Cup tie with Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Welshman insists he wants a good run in this year’s competition but is willing to make wholesale changes.
It’s common practice for Premier League sides to use the early midweek cup fixtures as an opportunity to give players game time, but with Saints facing an all-Premier League clash, things will be even more difficult.
With the likes of Angus Gunn, Matt Targett, Manolo Gabbiadini and Maya Yoshida, amongst others, lacking minutes this season, Hughes is open to giving others a chance.
Hughes said:
There will be any number of changes but if you look at our squad and the guys that are fit and well and itching to get out there then I have a really strong senior group that I can use and go up against Brighton.
There will be changes clearly. It was a big effort against Leicester and we will need to freshen it up but we have good options to come in.
It will be an opportunity for them to stake a claim as well so it’s up to those guys out of the team to push and try and get back into the team.
The Saints gaffer was confident changes wouldn’t impact the club’s chances of progress in the league cup and unequivocally maintained he wants to go deep into the competition.
We want a cup run and to have the excitement of a cup run if we can. Our intention is to get through the tie.
A cup run or even a cup win would help ease what’s been a difficult start to the season for the south coast side.
Brighton, however, are no easy task, having won two of their first three games, with the third being a narrow loss to Liverpool last Saturday.
