Following their lengthy layoffs with injury, Southampton duo Danny Ings and Mario Lemina have this week returned to training with the group.
It was expected both players would return during the March international break and on that front it was well timed as manager Ralph Hasenhuttl would gladly welcome them both back to fitness as options as we continue to battle against relegation from the Premier League in the season of 2018/19.
Ings in particular given the goal threat he carries and our lack of other in form options.
25-year-old Lemina has been missing since his half time substitution in the game against Manchester City last December, and following minor surgery and some complications, he’s now back in full group training to step his fitness up further.
Ings has been out since early February as he sustained a hamstring problem during the game with Burnley and he was rated as touch and go for the Tottenham Hotspur clash, but we erred on the side of caution.
With both back, it has to be a positive.
In other injury news though, Shane Long has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland side having picked up a groin injury as he returns to Staplewood for treatment.
