Ralph Hasenhüttl has confirmed Ché Adams will miss Southampton’s Premier League meeting with Leeds at St Mary’s this weekend.
The striker picked up a muscle injury in the first of Scotland’s two World Cup qualifiers over the international break, forcing him to miss the second.
Whilst Hasenhüttl is confident the problem is not long term, he did reveal Saturday would come too soon for the 25-year-old.
“We had Ché Adams return from the internationals with a muscle injury – not too serious, but for this game on the weekend he is definitely out,” said the boss, who also confirmed Jack Stephens remains sidelined.
“I don’t see everybody back so far (from international duty), but the reports are quite positive that they are all well.”
With James Ward-Prowse suspended, Hasenhüttl has called on Ibrahima Diallo to take his chance should he be selected to replace the skipper against Leeds.
“It was always tough for him, because with Ori and Prowsey we have two players who, when fit, are quite settled in the first eleven,” the boss continued.
“I must say he has shown in a lot of games how much quality he has. In some moments he has to be a little bit more clinical, a little bit more serious.
“There are still things to improve in his game, but the total package – especially from his physical options – I am totally convinced he is a Premier League player on a good level. Now he has the chance to show it, and hopefully he does.
“He had a few chances to play. In the cup he did quite a good job – he scored a goal against Sheffield [United] so he is definitely a player who can show more.
“He must now grab the chance in the next three games with both hands. Let’s have a look what he delivers.”
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