Targett could easily have been on other side of relegation six-pointer

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Mark Hughes has confirmed that Matt Targett will replace the suspended Ryan Bertrand when his Southampton side travel to face Fulham for their relegation six-pointer tomorrow.

It will be a big afternoon for the Englishman; he was part of the Whites side who gained promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs last season.

He was also reportedly a £10m summer target for the Cottagers in a summer that saw them expensively overhaul their previously threadbare defence.

After that swoop was thwarted, there have also been reports this month that Fulham are ready to return with another bid to get Targett back to Craven Cottage in January.

So Targett could very easily have been on the other side of Saturday’s crunch clash and Bertrand’s ill-discipline has thrust him into a vital role in the match that could have a huge impact on Hughes’ future.

During the international break, Southampton chose to stick while Fulham chose to twist by appointing Claudio Ranieri.

If the Whites use that new manager bounce to see off the Saints, perhaps that will be the final straw for Hughes’ St Mary’s reign; at the home at one of his former managerial posts.

Could the game also dictate where Targett wishes to spend his future?