Southampton: Saints facing potential striker selection crisis

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is facing a potential selection crisis in the coming two weeks with a number of strikers set to be unavailable.

Both injuries and a probable ban for Charlie Austin could see Shane Long as the only fit senior striker for this weekend’s game against Leicester City.

Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed that top scorer Danny Ings will be out for at least the next two weeks with a recurring hamstring injury and Michael Obafemi also has a hamstring complaint that could see this weekend come too early for his return.

Austin is awaiting the length of a likely FA suspension after making a ‘abusive or insulting’ gesture against Manchester City – Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli received a one-match ban after a similar incident on international duty at the beginning of last season.

Manolo Gabbiadini is reportedly in transfer negotiations with a number of clubs to move away this transfer window and will therefore not be involved either, whilst youngster Marcus Barnes may be required to provide attacking options from the bench.

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Despite his suitability in Hasenhuttl’s pressing style, Shane Long has not scored this season and rarely plays in attack on his own.

Saints may have to look to Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong for the supply of goals this weekend then as two players with good attacking output recently.

Armstrong missed out in the FA Cup game at Derby County last Saturday with an ankle injury but he could be back in action this weekend despite this not being confirmed yet.

Injuries striking at this time in the season could be seen as unlucky for Hasenhuttl and his side. They have passed a tricky spell of fixtures and now have some favourable games upcoming to potentially get vital points in.

If Austin’s ban is only for one game, he could be back for the home FA Cup replay now confirmed for the 16th and the following Premier League clash with Everton, which midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will be available for after his suspension too.

The big miss in the side with be Ings though as he has added an extra dimension upfront this campaign with his poachers instinct in front of goal.