Southampton are running out of time to generate even a modicum of hope for a great escape as Crystal Palace visit St. Mary's on Wednesday.

Win-or-go-home': Chris Richards issues rallying cry as Crystal Palace star eyes Wembley trip - The Eagles are eyeing a first Wembley appearance in three seasons

Jean-Philippe Mateta has made his Crystal Palace return for the first time since sustaining a serious head injury that required 25 stitches on a severely lacerated ear.

He is already revered by many after that run of seven unbeaten games (six wins and one draw) to end last season and now this improvement over the course of the current campaign. This is his first time managing Palace in the cups and he has reached two quarter-finals, losing 3-2 against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in December.

Sports Mole previews ... Two managerless sides will face off when Crystal Palace Women welcome Liverpool Women to the VBS Community Stadium for Sunday's Women's Super League clash.