All the players available to Southampton vs Everton with Ward-Prowse fit

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that his captain James Ward-Prowse is fit to play against Everton on the opening day of the new Premier League season.

Ward-Prowse has played a part in just one of Saints’ pre-season friendlies after picking up a minor knee injury but looks set to return to give his side a big boost this coming weekend.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Hasenhuttl said:

"“He’s going to be OK. He trained the whole week and I’m looking forward to having him back on Saturday.”"

Southampton have good options and fitness in Everton preparations

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• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

With nine substitutes still allowed this season, Saints are set to travel to Goodison Park with a healthy group.

Just Will Smallbone remains injured from the current first-team squad, whilst information about Sam McQueen’s progress is unknown. Apart from those two, things look good.

Ralph Hasenhuttl will surely stay faithful to his 4-2-2-2 system when choosing his starting players for this weekend but it remains to be seen if any new players will have pushed themselves into his plans.

The Saints boss suggested in his press conference that Romain Perraud and Tino Livramento were ready to start if chosen but hinted that Adam Armstrong and Armando Broja would take a place on the bench after only joining the club at the beginning of this week.

Intriguingly, Hasenhuttl has also spoken about how he sees Moussa Djenepo providing backup to Perraud at left-back this season (during the recent Fans’ Forum) after solid performances there in the past and in pre-season.

Available Saints players vs Everton

Goalkeepers: Alex McCarthy, Fraser Forster, Harry Lewis

Full-backs: Kyle Walker-Peters, Yan Valery, Romain Perraud, Tino Livramento

Centre-backs: Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Jack Stephens

Central-Midfielders: James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Ibrahima Diallo

Number 10s/Wingers: Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo, Stuart Armstrong, Moi Elyounoussi, Theo Walcott

Strikers: Che Adams, Nathan Tella, Adam Armstrong, Armando Broja, Michael Obafemi, Shane Long

Injured/unknown: Will Smallbone, Sam McQueen