Late last night it was reported that two of Southampton’s players – Shane Long and Alex McCarthy – had missed their day’s training with their international sides.
But Saints supporters will be relieved to know that McCarthy’s absence has been reported as only a matter of caution, with no actual injury to speak of.
The English goalkeeper has saved the Saints from embarrassment this year, as without his efforts between the sticks they may of conceded many more than actually have. Therefore any lay-off would be a scary possibility, as he did of course nearly miss the entirety of the his first season at the club through a serious injury.
However McCarthy wasn’t alone in missing yesterday’s training session as a precaution, as neither Danny Rose or Danny Welbeck featured either.
The only solace Southampton fans would get from a potential McCarthy injury is that Angus Gunn is waiting eagerly in the wings – the young Englishman has really impressed in the Carabao Cup and should hopefully make his league debut for the Saints before too long.
Meanwhile Long has been fighting niggling injury problems all season, but despite this has still been a regular in the first team for Southampton. Unsurprisingly he’s yet to find the back of the net this campaign but his work ethic remains his strongest quality.
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It’s being reported in the Echo as well that Long is still feeling the effects of the knock he suffered against Chelsea – the ankle injury forced him to sit out of his training for his national side the Republic of Ireland.
However it appears that manager Martin O’Neill is confident the striker will return to full fitness as he hasn’t chosen to send the 31-year-old home with the other six players he’s cut from the squad.
As a result it’s unlikely that Long will be unavailable for Southampton’s first game back from the international break, although against the Blues Mark Hughes started with a front three of Manolo Gabbiadini, Nathan Redmond and Danny Ings.
Despite what he offers off the ball many Saints supporters have grown frustrated with Long’s continued involvement this season – he has just two goals in his last 50 or so games for the club and ultimately isn’t as effective as Gabbiadini or Austin.
However Hughes continues to have faith in the Irishman so unless this ankle problem persists we’re likely to see him involved when the Saints face Bournemouth on the 20th of October.