Southampton vs Leicester City: Fitness updates on Djenepo, Cedric and Maddison

Southampton and Leicester have had mixed news on player fitness ahead of their Premier League meeting on Friday evening.

Saints will have been wanting both Moussa Djenepo and Cedric back in contention, whilst Brendan Rodgers’ visitors will have been sweating on James Maddison’s condition.

For the hosts, both players remain out – and this is likely to mean further starts for Yan Valery at right-back and an attacking role for James Ward-Prowse.

In his pre-match press conference, Ralph Hasenhuttl said:

"“We cannot count on Moussa or Cédric at the moment. Moussa is back on the pitch. For a game it is too early, but we see light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that in one or two weeks time we can count on him in again. We don’t want to take any risks with him because the injury is complicated.”"

For Leicester, they look set to receive a boost with the return of Maddison, who is often one of their main creative and attacking threats.

Brendan Rodgers explained when speaking to the media that the England international has taken part in training this week and “will be fit for Friday”.

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• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Tonight’s match could see an intriguing mix of styles and formations on show.

It remains to be seen whether Ralph Hasenhuttl will go all out with his attacking 4-2-2-2 and try to put real pressure on Leicester from the start, or whether he will go with the 3-5-2 that served his side well at Wolves last Saturday.

Leicester have had success when using a 4-1-4-1 so far this campaign and have significant tools in attack to hurt Saints – particularly James Maddison’s passing into space behind defences for the pace of Jamie Vardy to exploit.

With the visitors to St Mary’s clearly a well-structured side, it could be that Hasenhuttl chooses to keep things solid. After all, his 3-4-2-1 did keep a level of creativity during the second half of last season.

Danny Ings’ form at the moment could see him as the match-winner too so a positive result could rely on his teammates creating good chances for him in and around the penalty area.

Saints’ home form must improve soon after just one point in four games on the South Coast so far, so could things start to turn around tonight?