Southampton: Pellegrino confirms Long fitness ahead of Newcastle

In his pre-match presser, Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed his squad’s fitness ahead of the match at home against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Despite initial worry that his injury sustained on international duty with the Republic of Ireland would keep him out this weekend, Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that Shane Long is indeed fit to face Newcastle this Sunday.

The forward has started the Saints’ last three games and was praised for his hard-working performance against Crystal Palace in the 1-0 win – but no goals in the losses to Manchester United and Stoke have drawn criticism from the supporters.

However, Long could once start this weekend if Pellegrino choses to do so, with Newcastle boasting an impressively quick defence that will require some work to break down.

The Argentinian confirmed in his press conference just over an hour ago that Long has passed fitness tests and was training today:

"“He was training today 100 percent, he is much better, and I think he will be ready.”“All of them are OK – most of them didn’t play the second game – Maya, Mario, Fraser, Ryan, Shane, Davo. All of them more or less have had time to recover properly and I think they will be ready, most of them.” – Pellegrino"

The news of a clean bill of health will be music to the supporters’ ears, with the Saints needing to bounce back after two defeats in a row before the international break.

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With his entire 25-man squad to chose from, Pellegrino could rotate from the side that lost 2-1 to Stoke City, with Nathan Redmond and Dusan Tadic drawing plenty of criticism for their lack of end product over the course of the game.

Many fans have called for Sofiane Boufal to return to the starting XI whilst a cpmeback for Charlie Austin and James Ward-Prowse would also be welcomed by the supporters in a bid to offer something fresh in front of goal.

Meanwhile at the back it remains unclear as to who Southampton will start in defence, with all four of the Saints’ main first-choice centre-backs raring to play.

Wesley Hoedt was a substitute in both of the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifiers over the international break, meaning Saints fans are still waiting to see their record-signing defender partner Virgil van Dijk at the back.

Southampton versus Newcastle United kicks off at 4:00 PM on Sunday at St. Mary’s Stadium.