Results from the penultimate weekend of Championship football have ensured that the promotion fight will continue into the final week of the regular season, with all eyes on St Mary’s for Tuesday’s titanic encounter between Southampton and Ipswich Town.

In a rescheduled fixture from Good Friday, a victory for Saints would reduce the gap between them and the Tractor Boys in second place to one point heading into the final day, whereas a win for Kieran McKenna’s side would mathematically end Tonda Eckert’s men and Middlesbrough’s automatic promotion hopes, while also giving them a better goal difference than nearest challengers Millwall.

Ipswich were held to a goalless draw at The Hawthorns by a resurgent West Bromwich Albion on Saturday lunchtime, while Southampton suffered their first defeat in all competitions since January 17th, despite demonstrating their full potential in a narrow loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.

There are certainly a plethora of players for both Eckert and McKenna to choose from who are capable of swinging this game in either direction, but Football League World has looked at the eight absentees from both squads who will miss out on the mouth-watering Championship match.

Southampton’s Alex McCarthy

The first of four likely Saints absentees is experienced goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

The 36-year-old former Ipswich Town player has played just ten games in all competitions this season, the last of which came against Preston North End in November.

After initially deputising for shrewd January addition, Daniel Peretz, the one-cap England international, underwent wrist surgery in February and has subsequently been absent from all matchday squads.

Mads Roerlev

Mads Roerslev joined Saints from Brentford in August and, after a rocky first few months in Hampshire, is poised to miss the rest of the season.

The full-back last played against Sheffield Wednesday on November 8th and underwent achilles surgery two months ago, so he is currently recovering.

However, it has been alleged that the Dane has remained a crucial part of the squad behind the scenes under Eckert, despite the club’s recent form rise.

Jack Stephens

Jack Stephens, Southampton’s captain, has started 30 of the club’s 44 league matches this season, but did not play against Bristol City or Manchester City due to fitness concerns.

Beforehand, the centre-back played one minute in the triumph over Swansea City on April 18th, and Eckert stated that Stephens had a calf issue after withdrawing from the pre-match squad against the Robins.

As a result, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to heal in time to face Ipswich on such short notice.

Flynn Downes

The final Saints absentee is Flynn Downes, another ex-Tractor Boy who will serve the second of a three-game ban after being accused with aggressive conduct for a challenge on Swansea’s Liam Cullen in the 2-1 win.

Downes has been a vital presence in Eckert’s midfield, scoring three goals and providing energy and technical talent, but he will be forced to watch another crucial game from the sidelines.

He will also miss the final day travel to Preston North End, which might be a historic match.

Ipswich Town

David Button

David Button signed a one-year deal with Ipswich as a free agent last summer, but he is poised to miss another matchday squad as the season comes to a finish.

The 37-year-old is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Tractor Boys, trailing only Alex Palmer and Christian Walton, and has been out of the matchday squad since February due to a calf injury.

Ashley Young

Similarly, Ashley Young was signed to a one-year contract at Portman Road, but it is unclear whether he will play for the Tractor Boys again.

The 40-year-old has made 13 Championship appearances for Suffolk, but has been sidelined since January due to a hip flexor injury.

However, McKenna confirmed earlier this month that the veteran figure has resumed training in an effort to recuperate before the end of the season.

Leif Davis

Perhaps the biggest blow for either side is McKenna’s announcement following Saturday’s goalless draw that left-back Leif Davis is a doubt for the match against Saints after failing a fitness test before his team faced West Bromwich.

The Northern Irish full-back missed the 2-1 win at Charlton Athletic last Wednesday due to a hamstring injury sustained against Middlesbrough. He has subsequently provided an update on his condition.McKenna stated, “He wasn’t on the bus, but if you’re close, you tend to be on the bus, so he’s back in Suffolk.”He’s doubtful (for Southampton), but it’s not impossible. We’ll assess it over the weekend.

Conor Townsend

The final Ipswich player anticipated to miss this game is fellow left-back Conor Townsend, who has been sidelined all season due to a major knee injury.

After sustaining an injury during a pre-season friendly against AJ Auxerre, the defender has resumed training recently.Conor Townsend is currently active in training, while everyone else is available for the game. “So we’re in a good position,” McKenna stated ahead of the Southampton game.