Southampton: Ings and Bertrand likely to miss United game
By Marc Walker
Southampton are likely to be without two key first-team regulars as they host Manchester United at St Mary’s this weekend.
Mark Hughes revealed in his pre-match press conference this afternoon that both Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand have suffered recurrences of previous injury complaints and look set to miss what could be a crucial game for Saints.
Ings missed last weekend’s clash with Fulham with a hamstring complaint and that seems to be taking longer than expected to heal up for the 26-year-old.
He is the club’s top scorer this season with five goals in all competitions and his absence is certainly felt by Saints when he’s not involved.
Bertrand has a back complaint but there is still a chance that he could recover in time for Saturday if he is involved in training tomorrow.
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He has been captain for much of this season but also missed last weekend’s loss to Fulham and handed the captain’s armband over to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg; someone who the Saints fans think should lead the team in the long-term.
Whilst Matt Targett is usually a more than capable replacement for Bertrand, the movement and goalscoring ability that Ings gives the side is normally missed.
Charlie Austin played in his place at Fulham and struggled to get involved, whilst Michael Obafemi continues to look bright but equally very raw in his appearances in the past week.
Perhaps the goalscoring role will be handed to Manolo Gabbiadini, who has looked bright since his return to starting line-ups recently.
The Italian scored his first goal of the season against Watford three weeks ago but was playing on the left-wing for that game and had Ings to help him in attack.
Another option is Sam Gallagher, but he hasn’t had much game time at all so far this campaign and doesn’t look likely to get near to a first-team starting place.
Saturday’s clash with United kicks-off at 5:30 and sees two under-fire managers in Mark Hughes and Jose Mourinho face-off at St Mary’s.