Four Southampton youngsters who could get chance vs Walsall

The St Mary's outfit have lost their last two cup fixtures against League Two opposition, including the 3-1 EFL Cup defeat at Gillingham this season.

However, Martin's troops are reeling from four games in 10 days and rest is imperative ahead of the Championship promotion charge.

Martin has some talented youngsters he can call on in addition to the fringe of his senior group. These are the four we think will get a chance... 

Sam Amo-Ameyaw 

Sam Amo-Ameyaw should start against Walsall (Image: Stuart Martin)

Amo-Ameyaw only turned 17 years old in the summer but was propelled to first team status to begin the Championship campaign.

He came on as a substitute against both Norwich City and Plymouth Argyle before making his first league start versus QPR in August.

However, that match against the Loftus Road outfit at St Mary's was the last time he made any minutes for Martin's side.

Amo-Ameyaw, signed from Spurs last summer to be fast-tracked into senior football, had been named on the bench nine times since.

The England youth winger has outgrown under-21s football on the eye test alone and has registered three goals and two assists in four Premier League 2 games. 

Saints chiefs think he can become a huge value player but he needs game time to realise that and facing League Two Walsall is the perfect opportunity. 

The youngster will see an opportunity to get his first senior goal (Image: Southampton FC)

Tyler Dibling 

Tyler Dibling has only featured once for Saints so far (Image: Izzy Field - Southampton FC)

Dibling has been a household name around Saints for two years already despite his 18th birthday only just coming up next month.

He netted an identical hattrick at Newcastle United's St James' Park on his second under-21 appearance and was named on a Premier League bench soon after. 

However, Dibling departed for Chelsea in summer 2022 before returning just weeks later and facing a spell in the under-18s to win back favour. 

He is a technically impressive footballer and a natural fit in the midfield eight of Martin's system - but he has only played five minutes of senior football.

Dibling, an England youth international, has been named on the last three Championship benches and can announce himself to St Mary's this weekend. 

He signed a new long-term contract last month and told the Daily Echo he is happy to wait as long as it takes for regular opportunity here at Saints. 

Dibling extended his Saints stay to 2026 with a new deal last month

Jayden Meghoma

Jayden Meghoma made his Saints debut with a start against Gillingham (Image: PA)

Former Spurs academy starlet Meghoma, 17, featured prominently during pre-season playing in Martin's inverted full-back role. 

The left-back played 85 minutes of the defeat to Gillingham but has only featured on the bench for Martin once since due to the defensive depth. 

Meghoma, who also represents England at the youth international level, signed his first professional contract at Saints to 2025. 

He regularly completes and impresses in 90 minutes of Premier League 2 action and could give Ryan Manning some needed rest. 

With James Bree also injured and Mason Holgate a potential doubt after missing out at Norwich City, now might be the best time. 

We think Meghoma is the third most likely candidate for a start against Walsall, behind Amo-Ameyaw and Dibling. 

The young defender represents England in his age group (Image: Southampton FC)

Cam Bragg 

Cam Bragg was impressive in last season's FA Youth Cup (Image: Chris Moorhouse / SFC)

Like Dibling, 2005-born central midfielder Bragg has been in the Saints academy for over a decade since he was eight years old.

He has matured with age and now finds himself closer to the first team than ever before following the arrival of Martin. 

Bragg began to grow in prominence during last season's FA Youth Cup semi-final run and he has captained the under-21s in their last four outings. 

Martin is a big fan of the youngster and credited him for going back to coach his academy teammates after training with the first team. 

Bragg is the only player of the four listed who is yet to make his Saints debut in any capacity, with Dibling at least getting five minutes. 

It is unlikely the midfielder starts against Walsall but he will be named on the bench and could come on for his bow in front of his boyhood fans. 

It is up to Russell Martin to give Southampton's starlets an opportunity