Ralph Hasenhüttl has revealed concerns over Ryan Bertrand ahead of Saturdays’s AFC Bournemouth clash, with the full-back taking a knock to the ankle during Southampton’s midweek exploits at Watford.
Jannik Vestergaard is the other likely defensive absentee, but Matt Targett has resumed full training, and could stand in for Bertrand, should he not recover in time.
Stuart Armstrong is also a doubt, but the manager can be encouraged by the presence of in-form striker Shane Long in today’s Staplewood session; fresh from hitting the Premier League history books with his goal on Tuesday night.
“Jannik not, that's for sure," Hasenhüttl replied, when asked about the defender's progress. "We have a few problems; Ryan Bertrand has something in the ankle area so there’s a question over him.
“Matt Target is back in team training, that is good for us because he can be a direct replacement.
“A few other small injuries; Stuart Armstrong has a problem with his hamstring, but Shane [Long] is fit - he trained today. It looks like he’ll be able to play at the weekend."
On Long, he added: “We work very hard with him. We show him the positions he needs to be in to be more dangerous in front of goal and he’s showing that.
“The plan was to attack immediately [against Watford] and that’s what he did fantastically.”
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