Southampton: Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu Cleared For Action
Southampton left back Ryan Bertrand and defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu are fit for selection in Saturday’s match vs. Sunderland, manager Claude Puel said.
Speaking to club media yesterday, Puel reported that Bertrand had made progress since sustaining a training injury three weeks ago and had participated in training sessions held this week.
“Ryan Bertrand has recovered and it’s important that he can come back into the team because he is an experienced player,” Puel told club media in a routine press conference. “We will see on Friday…if he can participate for this game.”
Puel’s caution is advisable in light of Bertrand’s record with costly knee injuries. With a long campaign ahead, there is little incentive to rush players to match-fitness and risk a re-injury. While fans can probably expect Matt Targett to get the call again this game, the Southampton manager’s comments leave open the possibility of a late sub and Bertrand’s first minutes of the season.
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Puel also addressed the injury status of Oriol Romeu, who went down early in the first half of Saints’ last outing vs. Manchester United. The player himself tweeted that the injury was minor the day it occurred, and the gaffer’s comments yesterday seemed to back that analysis up.
“Oriol is okay,” Puel told club media. “It was an injury about five minutes in to the last game and a shame to lose him for that match…but he will be ready for Saturday’s game.”
Romeu’s absence in the last match forced Southampton to adjust their tactics drastically, holding back Pierre-Emile Højbjerg as a defensive mid and starving an already strained attacking third. Fans will no doubt be relieved to have him back in action this week.
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While fans will be cheered by the return of their starters, and the first chance to see the presumptive starting XI all together this season, there was one sour note out of the training pitch this week.
Right-back Jeremy Pied will miss the next game, having apparently picked up a training knock Wednesday. With the first international break fast approaching, though, Southampton fans have little reason for worry.