Mark Hughes hopes that Charlie Austin can take his chance to impress when Southampton visit Liverpool on Saturday.
The former QPR forward has struggled in the first few weeks of the season but is set to feature at Anfield. Danny Ings is unavailable as he is on loan from the Reds and Manolo Gabbiadini is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Hughes has been impressed with Austin's work in training recently and is confident he will be up to the task of taking on the watertight Liverpool defence.
The Saints boss said: "During the week leading up to any game you're looking at how people are in training and what their demeanour is and how they're training. Sometimes you can see a little bit of a spark in some players where you sense they are ready to come back into the fold.
"There are a number of players like that and Charlie is included in that group.
"He was struggling for form earlier in the season and going out of the team and maybe coming back is maybe a good option for us."
Southampton, who drew 2-2 with Brighton on Monday, had been unchanged for three Premier League matches heading into this weekend's fixture.
Shane Long and Sam Gallagher are also vying for a place in Saints' attack at Anfield, with Hughes adding: "We've got a lot of different options.
"Obviously you don't want to lose any of the options you've got in an attacking sense but if he [Gabbiadini] does miss out we can prepare without those two and still be strong."
Southampton are 18/1 to win at Anfield and 14/1 to draw 1-1 while Austin is 15/4 to score at any time in the match.
View all Soccer betting
Mark Hughes hopes that Charlie Austin can take his chance to impress when Southampton visit Liverpool on Saturday.
The former QPR forward has struggled in the first few weeks of the season but is set to feature at Anfield. Danny Ings is unavailable as he is on loan from the Reds and Manolo Gabbiadini is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Hughes has been impressed with Austin's work in training recently and is confident he will be up to the task of taking on the watertight Liverpool defence.
The Saints boss said: "During the week leading up to any game you're looking at how people are in training and what their demeanour is and how they're training. Sometimes you can see a little bit of a spark in some players where you sense they are ready to come back into the fold.
"There are a number of players like that and Charlie is included in that group.
"He was struggling for form earlier in the season and going out of the team and maybe coming back is maybe a good option for us."
Southampton, who drew 2-2 with Brighton on Monday, had been unchanged for three Premier League matches heading into this weekend's fixture.
Shane Long and Sam Gallagher are also vying for a place in Saints' attack at Anfield, with Hughes adding: "We've got a lot of different options.
"Obviously you don't want to lose any of the options you've got in an attacking sense but if he [Gabbiadini] does miss out we can prepare without those two and still be strong."
Southampton are 18/1 to win at Anfield and 14/1 to draw 1-1 while Austin is 15/4 to score at any time in the match.
Source: bet365.com