Southampton host Birmingham Metropolis at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, with caretaker supervisor Tonda Eckert certainly hoping his aspect can bounce again from their 3-2 defeat to Millwall.
Earlier than final weekend’s loss in Bermondsey, Saints’ non permanent supervisor had overseen a exceptional revival in type since taking on from Will Nonetheless, successful his opening 4 matches on the helm, and he is prone to land the job on a everlasting foundation.
Nevertheless, with a number of gamers unavailable by means of harm, Eckert faces a stern check in opposition to a resurgent Birmingham Metropolis aspect which have 4 wins from six themselves – and sit one level out of the play-off locations in eighth.
Considerably luckily for Blues, Chris Davies revealed in his pre-match press convention that “There’s nothing new to report when it comes to accidents. Everyone seems to be as they have been.” However they do have some gamers already out with long-term accidents
There was no point out of Southampton’s Brazilian winger Leo Scienza in Eckert’s press convention although, after he missed out for them final week by means of sickness – that is as a result of he is anticipated to start out, as per Day by day Echo reporter Alfie Home.
So, with that being mentioned, FLW takes a take a look at the 9 absentees forward of the second tier conflict in Hampshire.
Mads Roerslev
Southampton will probably be with out Mads Roerslev as soon as extra, because the Danish right-back continues his restoration from a knee harm picked up in opposition to Sheffield Wednesday final month.
The 26-year-old beforehand made 146 appearances for the Bees throughout six seasons, and is predicted to stay sidelined, with Eckert saying, “he’ll take a bit bit longer.”
Roerslev has featured 9 instances within the Championship thus far this season, however his place at proper wing-back is prone to be continued in as soon as extra by Tom Fellows.
Elias Jelert
The very same phrases Eckert used concerning Roerslev’s scenario have been used for his Danish team-mate, Elias Jelert, who’s one other right-sided participant that’s lacking on the sidelines.
On mortgage from Galatasary, Jelert pulled his quad muscle in late October, a couple of days after enjoying 70 minutes in opposition to Swansea Metropolis, and he hasn’t been seen since.
With simply three league outings to his title, Jelert has been considerably of a peripheral determine, and he continues to be so at St Mary’s.
Shea Charles
An essential participant in Southampton’s engine room, Shea Charles is understood to be again in first-team coaching quickly, however will not be concerned in matches but, which guidelines the 22-year-old out for the Blues sport.
The Northern Eire worldwide had to get replaced within the final ten minutes of the membership’s defeat in opposition to Blackburn Rovers in October, and it was later revealed by then-manager Nonetheless that the midfielder picked up a hamstring harm.
Regardless that Saints have picked up wins not too long ago, they’re nonetheless lacking Charles’ presence in midfield, and his return can not come quickly sufficient.
Ross Stewart
Three video games earlier than Charles suffered his hamstring harm, Ross Stewart was subbed off in opposition to Derby County as a result of he did comparable – though the Scottish striker’s hamstring harm was linked to his tendon, which wasn’t nice information on the time for Southampton followers.
Stewart is reportedly not going to be again till the New Yr, and given his fairly horrible harm report over time, it stays to be seen how the Scotsman actually recovers from it.
Damion Downs
Summer time signing Damion Downs continues to be “not 100 per cent but” in accordance with Eckert, so the 21-year-old American striker will probably be unavailable for this weekend’s Championship fixture.
But to attain his first purpose for the membership, the Hampshire outfit spent a reported £7m to deliver him to the membership from German aspect FC Koln in the summertime, the place he had netted ten targets in 29 2. Bundesliga appearances final season, however the USA worldwide has struggled thus far within the Championship.
Lee Buchanan
The visiting Blues will probably be with out left-back Lee Buchanan, who suffered a severe knee harm in opposition to Blackpool in December final yr and has been preventing his approach again ever since.
Talking on the membership’s official Blue Rising podcast, Buchanan did reveal he’s concentrating on a return subsequent month although, stating, “Once I’m outdoors and within the health club I really feel good. I am heading in the right direction for a return in January, all going properly.”
Ethan Laird
Laird is one other long-term absentee on the West Midlands membership.
After choosing up a hamstring harm in opposition to Coventry Metropolis in September, Davies confirmed on the finish of November that the right-back received’t be in coaching till February no less than.
It is not the primary time that ex-Man United full-back Laird has suffered a hamstring harm, and as a consequence of his explosiveness, his newest setback will possible not be his final.
Scott Wright
Concurrently confirming Laird’s absence from the Birmingham squad till after the New Yr, Davies revealed that Scott Wright is nearing the top of his nine-month ACL harm layoff.
Though the Southampton sport will nonetheless be far too early for him, Wright is predicted to return at the same time to Buchanan, however he faces a tricky activity making an attempt to pressure his approach again into the plans of the Metropolis head coach.
Willum Thor Willumsson
Icelandic midfielder Willum Willumsson has not featured in a Blues shirt since their defeat to Leicester Metropolis in August, and stays unavailable this weekend as a consequence of an issue that has not been shared by the membership.
Nevertheless, it has been reported that regardless of struggling a slight setback, it’s only a “matter of weeks” till the 27-year-old is again in motion for Metropolis, however like Wright, he could have a battle on his palms if he desires to play commonly within the Championship, with the likes of Patrick Roberts and Jay Stansfield forward of him within the pecking order within the areas of the pitch he operates in.
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