Matt Targett is set to start for Southampton against Fulham this weekend, Mark Hughes has confirmed.
Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Craven Cottage, the Saints boss discussed how he would replace first-choice left-back Ryan Bertrand in the starting line-up.
The England international picked up his fifth booking of the season in Southampton’s 1-1 draw against Watford prior to the international break, ruling him out of the team’s visit to Fulham.
This means that Hughes has been forced to seek alternative options at left-back and, as reported by Saints’ official club website, Targett is set to be handed a rare chance to shine. The Welshman said:
We’re fortunate that we have someone of the quality of Matt to come in. It’s an obvious choice and one that I’ll make as long as he comes through training unscathed. We’re lucky to have Matt: he knows the level, he’s played many times in the Premier League and he’ll acquit himself very well I’m sure.
He’s coming up against a team that he knows and he’ll have a good feeling going into the game. I sense Matt – along with everyone else – is really looking forward to the occasion.
The former England Under-21 international has made only three starts for Southampton this season, with two of these coming in the Carabao Cup and the other in the team’s 3-0 defeat against Liverpool in the Premier League.
However, Targett looks all but set to be given the nod for Saints’ crunch clash with Fulham, as he bids to nail down a place in Hughes’ plans for the rest of the season.
