Southampton host Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday evening in our next Premier League clash following the September international break and as manager Mark Hughes met with the media to preview the game, he revealed that we had three boosts with a trio fully expected to feature he chooses to call on them.
One of the doubts was known in the shape of Jan Bednarek and a foot issue that he was continuing to deal with, and it may have been why he has only featured once for us so far in 2018/19 as maybe Hughes has tried to give him time to rest and get the issue cleared up.
Charlie Austin and Shane Long were also doubtful, but he’s fully expecting them to rejoin full training in the days to come, so he doesn’t consider them ruled out either and at least at the time of speaking, none of those out representing their country the last fortnight had picked up a knock.
#SaintsFC could have a clean bill of health for the visit of Brighton. "Touch wood, [no injuries from the internationals] as far as we know." Bednarek is managing a [minor] ongoing foot problem, but that won't rule him out. Austin [hamstring] and Long should re-join the group.
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) September 13, 2018
Given relative form, individual fans will have their own thoughts on this news but we need Austin and Long to find their scoring boots sooner rather than later and plenty wouldn’t mind seeing Bednarek back in defence given what he can offer us at both ends of the pitch.
