Southampton vs Stoke City team news: Shane Long returns to starting line-up following injury

The Irishman has not featured since September's defeat to Manchester United

Shane Long makes his return to the Southampton starting line-up (Getty Images)

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has named three changes to the side that ran out 1-0 winners against Sunderland before the international break.

Cedric Soares, Victor Wanyama and Shane Long replace Maya Yoshida, Sadio Mane and James Ward-Prowse, who all drop to the bench.

Long features for the first time in the league since September's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United having recovered from injury.

Mark Hughes was sufficiently impressed with his Stoke City side's victory over Chelsea last time out and duly names an unchanged line-up.

Jack Butland continues in goal after featuring for England in the friendly against France on Tuesday night, while Jon Walters will be hoping to recreate his heroic performance for the Republic of Ireland in mid-week.

Line-ups

Southampton: Stekelenburg, Fonte, Bertrand, Cedric Soares, Van Dijk, Davis, Wanyama, Tadic, Clasie, Pelle, Long

Substitutes: K. Davis, Yoshida, Mane, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi, Caulker

Stoke City: Butland; Pieters, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Johnson; Adam, Whelan; Arnautovic, Bojan, Shaqiri, Walters

Substitutes: Haugaard, Ireland, Wilson, Afellay, Diouf, Cameron, Crouch