Following Michael Obafemi’s return to action following a hamstring injury in last weekend’s clash with Arsenal not exactly going to plan, the club confirmed earlier today that the 18-year-old talent was now ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international Academy graduate came on for Stuart Armstrong at the halftime break in the game as we were chasing a result, but he lasted only 20 minutes into the tie before succumbing to another apparent hamstring problem.
Having been fully assessed this week by the medical department, further tests have now confirmed that the season is over for the young lad and that’s not only a blow for him, but also for us given we have misfired once again at the top of the pitch.
Speaking to saintsfc Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl explained.
“Now we also have a big injury to Michael Obafemi. With Michael we took a long time to reintroduce him. He didn’t start from the beginning against Arsenal only the second half, but it’s a completely different thing training for two weeks and playing in the Premier League. The intensity is much higher.”
Hasenhuttl also confirmed that although Danny Ings is making good progress in his own search for fitness after injury, the Fulham clash comes too quickly for him and he won’t come into his thoughts for that game and midfielder Mario Lemina isn’t yet training with the group, although he’s also nearing a return.
#SaintsFC boss Ralph Hasenhüttl says @michaelobafemi_ is set to be out until the end of the season through injury, while @IngsDanny remain unavailable for #FFC: https://t.co/yf3n4WCWYD
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 26, 2019
