In the know

BRISTOL Rovers are without Mikkel Andersen and Chris Dickson tonight – and Southampton will also be missing a couple of loan players whose parent clubs don't want them cup-tied.

One is central defender Neal Trotman, the other young midfielder Jacob Mellis. Trotman is on loan from Preston until January, while Mellis is an 18-year-old who has been borrowed from Chelsea.

But Andersen's club, Reading, have been more amenable by giving the Saints approval to use winger Michail Antonio, who this week extended his loan deal at the club until the New Year.

Trotman's loss will be a blow to Saints boss Alan Pardew as the 22-year-old has formed a solid partnership with Radhi Jaidi in the heart of their defence.

The pair have played together for the last eight League One matches, in which their only defeat was against Rovers.

Pardew will be forced into a reshuffle at the back, with Wayne Thomas and Chris Perry competing for a place in the starting line-up.

Neither has played since starting together in Southampton's Johnstone's Paint Trophy shoot-out victory over Torquay a month ago, but Thompson featured in a reserve game on Monday and could be favourite to get the manager's vote.

Antonio could be in line for his first start since making his debut in the Gulls match – the speedy right-winger has produced a series of impressive performances as a substitute in recent weeks.

Pardew is expecting a real cup-tie atmosphere this evening and said: "I think the venue is difficult. If I was taking my West Ham team when we were flying in the Premiership, I'd still have concerns about this fixture.

"It's just the atmosphere they create – it's a tight pitch and has got that little slope on it, which has some impact. Obviously they've got a good team at the moment, so it is a tough assignment for us."

Venue: Memorial Stadium

Kick-off: 7.45pm, tonight

Southampton's nickname: Saints

Manager: Alan Pardew

Top scorer: Rickie Lambert – 12 (includes one for Rovers)

Programme: £3

Ticket info: Fans buying tickets before 5pm tonight get a £2 discount on the following matchday prices. Concessionary prices in brackets. Blackthorn Terrace and Uplands Terrace £17 (£10), Evening Post Family Terrace £17 (£10 and £7), DAS Terrace £19 (£11), Uplands Stand £23 (£14.50), DAS Stand £25 (£19.50), South Stand £19.50 (£11.50), Guinness Stand £20 (£12), Away Terrace £17 (£10). Last time: September 29, 2009 Southampton 2, Rovers 3 Biggest win: March 20, 1961 Rovers 4, Southampton 2 Heaviest defeat: November 20, 1920 Southampton 4, Rovers 0 How will it go?On form, you would probably fancy the Saints – although Rovers are overdue a win. Words of wisdom: I think the Saints fans feel like it's payback time after I scored the goal that knocked them out last time – former Gas hero Rickie Lambert ahead of tonight's encounter. Just a thought: The two clubs have met four times before in the FA Cup and won two each – with every tie going the way of the home side Fancy a flutter: Rovers are 15-8 at Blue Square, while Saints start as 6-4 favourites with Betfair. The draw is a widespread 12-5.