Saints have not had a good week so far in terms of players reporting back injured after the latest round of Internationals, hopefully some will not be as bad as expected.

Saints have at least three injury worries after the International break, Ryan Bertrand will be missing this weekend as probably will Shane Long, but this is compounded by the fact that Bertrand's understudy Matt Targett also came back from the England U21 squad with a minor knock.

Targett looks likely to be fit to play on Sunday against Burnley, but the question is whether he will be able to cope with three games in the space of seven days if Bertrand should also miss the trips to Milan and Manchester City.

This could mean Sam McQueen could be given some game time at left back in order to preserve Targett's fitness, although Claude Puel also has the option of playing either Cuco Martina or Yoshida in that role.

However that is further compounded by the fact there are still doubts over Cedric Soares's heel injury sustained at Leicester, hopefully the two week break will have given the injury time to recover.

On a brighter note Jay Rodriguez looks able to return to the squad after his groin problem and the week could also see Sofiane Boufal at least on the bench and in line for a little cameo role should the situation allow.

Claude Puel will be hoping that his side can blitz Burnley on Sunday, that would enable him to make some substitutions not only based on resting players in the areas which he is stretched injury wise, but introducing Boufal sparingly if he chooses to put him on the bench.

One thing s for sure though, due to Puel's rotation policy that has kept players sharp and match fit who in previous seasons might not have been, Saints will be in good shape to tackle the tasks ahead.

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