Claude Puel reveals three players could miss Stoke City clash

In his final press conference on the season, Southampton boss Claude Puel has announced that he has three fresh injury updates.

If the Saints can equal or better West Brom’s result this weekend, they’ll finish eighth. Despite this, Claude Puel may of far well conducted his final ever pre-match press conference as Southampton boss, with his future up the air.

Their opponents this Sunday are Stoke City, who despite being safe from relegation have enjoyed a fairly substandard season.

Mark Hughes’ side are currently 14th, but if all results go against this weekend they could finish as low as 16th, just two places above the drop.

But the Potters won’t be up against a full-strength Saints squad, with as many as three fresh injury concerns since the draw against Manchester United in midweek, as Puel revealed when addressing the written media.

He said: “We will see if Cedric Soares can play this game and also for Ryan Bertrand. They have some pain, some tiredness, but we will see this tomorrow and the day of the game to see if they are available.

“Shane Long also is unlucky with his broken metatarsal, but we will see him next season.”

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Shane Long of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Southampton at Riverside Stadium on May 13, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /

Long was absent for the draw against the Red Devils with Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez on the bench, and it now looks like the Irishman will be out for some time.

However the more notable omission with be the Saints’ dynamic full-back combination in Bertrand and Cedric.

In their places are likely to be the young Matt Targett and Jeremy Pied, who both featured in the goalless draw on Wednesday to some extent.

Meanwhile Manolo Gabbiadini only played an hour against Jose Mourinho’s men, as he took his cold-streak to six games without a goal.

It means that the Saints could switch around their man up-top this weekend, and Puel has revealed that Austin could in fact start up front.

It’d be the striker’s first start since December, where he played 39 minutes against Hapoel Be’er Sheva before having to come off with a shoulder injury.

Southampton’s game this Sunday against Stoke City has a 3:00 PM kick-off.

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