Inter captain Mauro Icardi incurred the wrath of the Ultras with comments in his autobiography released this week and may sit the match out while the dust settles. Frank De Boer has yet to field a full-strength team in the competition with Geoffrey Kondogbia, Joao Mario and Stevan Jovetic yet to feature. Gabriel is not with the squad in midweek while Felipe Melo is doubtful after missing the defeat to Cagliari on Sunday with an injury.

Southampton could put one foot in the knockout phase with victory in Italy and manager Claude Puel has the opportunity to use his squad rotation to good effect. Defenders Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand are unlikely to be risked after missing the 3-1 victory over Burnley at the weekend. Sofiane Boufal may have to wait to make his debut since joining the club this summer while Florian Gardos and Jeremy Pied are sidelined with injury .

Inter 4-3-3 formation: Handanovic; D’Ambrosia, Ranocchia, Murillo, Nagatamo; Gnoukouri, Medel, Banega; Candreva, Palacio, Eder

Southampton 4-3-1-2 formation: Forster; Martina, Yoshida, Dijk, Targett; Clasie, Romeu, Ward-Prowse; Hesketh; Long, Redmond

Inter have struggled to address the inconsistencies that crept into the team in the second half of last season, having swung from the high of beating Serie A champions Juventus last month to the shock defeat at home to Cagliari at the weekend.

The Nerazzurri have lost both Europa League games so far, going down 2-0 against Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva at San Siro and losing 3-1 at Sparta Prague on matchday two.

Southampton have only lost twice in all competitions this season, suffering away defeats at Manchester United and Arsenal. The Saints are on an unbeaten run of seven games and go to Italy on the back of a 3-1 win at home to Burnley. Puel’s men have four points from the 3-0 victory at home to Sparta and 0-0 draw in Beer Sheva and are joint top of the group with the Iraelis.

While Southampton go into the game as the form team they have only won once on the road this season (see the video highlights) and failed to score on the last two roads trips. Premier League clubs have not had much luck at San Siro recently and this game could finish in a draw.