Mauricio Pellegrino says Ryan Bertrand could be fit for Tuesday night's "massive game" against Crystal Palace.
Saints welcome the Eagles to St Mary's, with Roy Hodgson's side just one point below them in the Premier League.
Both teams head into the match on the back of good results, with Palace halting Manchester City's incredible winning run by drawing 0-0 at Selhurst Park, while Pellegrino's men held Manchester United by the same score at Old Trafford.
mauricio pellegrino
it's massive because the premier league is really tight and for us to get three points is really important.
southampton manager
Saints could also be boosted by the return of Ryan Bertrand, who has been out with a hamstring injury since mid-December, with the boss saying "I think he has a chance to be there."
One thing Pellegrino has no doubts over, though, is the importance of the fixture, as both clubs look to edge clear of trouble.
"It's a massive game for us," he said. "We want to continue growing from the other day and I think the last game was really important for us to move a step forward, but we know Palace is playing much, much better than before.
"It will be a really competitive game, really tight and we need to try to do the maximum to claim the three points.
"It's massive because the Premier League now is really tight and for us to get three points is really important."
Pellegrino, whose side won 1-0 at Selhurst Park earlier in the campaign, hopes the display at Manchester United will buoy the team for the meeting with Palace.
"It was really, really important for us, because the players now in the dressing room are really happy," he said.
"We don't have long to prepare for the game, but to rest and recover when you have had a good performance is easier."
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