Team news

Fox and Sharp boost for Saints Danny Fox and Billy Sharp return to the Southampton squad for the visit of Burnley.

Former Clarets full-back Fox missed Tuesday's 3-2 FA Cup replay defeat by Millwall through suspension and striker Sharp was ineligible.

Sharp could be handed his full debut in attack having made one substitute appearance since his January switch from Doncaster.

Defender Jos Hooiveld is set to miss out again with a hamstring problem but boss Nigel Adkins has an otherwise fully-fit squad.

Goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and midfielders Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin were rested in midweek and return along with top scorer Rickie Lambert, who came on as a substitute.

Tottenham loanee Iago Falque could also be added to the squad after he was cup-tied.

Burnley have no new injury worries for the trip.

Boss Eddie Howe remains without forward Martin Paterson and winger Junior Stanislas as the duo continue their rehabilitation from hamstring injuries sustained during the 2-0 triumph at Middlesbrough last month.

Ross Wallace and Keith Treacy both played a part in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Peterborough to dismiss any lingering concerns that recent back problems would continue to hinder them.

Danny Lafferty is continuing to build his match fitness after joining from Derry City during the January transfer window and the left-back will not be considered for selection.

Southampton vs Burnley

Last modified 17:12 11/02/12

Lallana leads Saints home Adam Lallana set Southampton on their way to a 2-0 home win over Burnley as they roared back to within a point of the top of the npower Championship.

Nigel Adkins' side secured only their second victory since Boxing Day to cut the gap on leaders West Ham, whose game at Peterborough fell foul of the wintry weather.

Lallana opened the scoring with his ninth goal of the season and Billy Sharp was credited with the second, although Burnley defender Ben Mee got the final touch.

A deserved win sets up a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash against West Ham at Upton Park on Tuesday night.

Burnley arrived at St Mary's having won five of their last six away games while Saints' recent wobble has seen them without a win in four at home, including Tuesday's FA Cup defeat by Millwall.

But it took the hosts just eight minutes to take the lead when full-back Frazer Richardson overlapped down the right and stood up an inviting cross. Lallana looped in a glancing header at the near post for his second goal in a week.

Three minutes later, with Burnley reeling, former Claret Danny Fox crossed for Rickie Lambert whose shot was fingertipped wide by Lee Grant and from the corner Lambert's header was cleared off the line by David Edgar.

Sharp, making his full debut since moving to Southampton from Doncaster, got his first sight of goal when he was played in by Jack Cork but his angled effort was deflected wide by Michael Duff.

But in the 33rd minute Saints got the second goal their dominance deserved.

Lambert swung in a cross towards Sharp but as Mee challenged the striker the ball cannoned off his knee, bounced past Grant and into his own net.

Burnley manager Eddie Howe made a double substitution at the break, throwing Josh McQuoid and Marvin Bartley into the action.

But Saints were still in control and could, and probably should, have added to their tally in the second half.

Cork's superb pass sent Lambert charging towards the Burnley area and his cross just eluded substitute David Connolly.

Grant also kept out Lallana's close-range shot before Connolly thought he had snaffled a third after the Burnley goalkeeper spilled a long-range effort from Lambert but an offside flag curtailed his celebrations.