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Hasenhuttl To Ring The Changes For The Visit Of Everton

After our second string lost in the FA Cup to Derby County Ralph will change things for the visit of Everton but who is likely to come back in.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has spoken about who is likely to return against Everton on Saturday and hopefully it will be good news for Saints supporters.

Firstly three players will return from suspension, Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, Charlie Austin and Jan Valery and there is good news on the injury front as well with Danny Ings set to return after training this week with no issues from his hamstring issues.

"We have to find out who are the players who can be physically so strong that they can play again from the beginning, and we have the chance to bring a few new fresh players in, because we have a few suspended players coming back and Danny Ings's injury is gone, so he can train twice this week," said Hasenhüttl.

"He showed that he's a guy who can score important goals for us. He is back after a small hamstring problem and it doesn't seem that he cannot play 90 minutes on Saturday, so we have to think about it. We have a few options and we have to look in what direction it goes."

Hasenhüttl added: "Michael Obafemi is still not in training so he is out. A few guys are in training but are still having pain so we have to be careful not to push them too much to their limits."

"For example, Lemina still has problems with his stomach and I wanted Ryan Bertrand to play yesterday but it was too early for him because he still has pain."

"The good thing is we have players like Sam Galllagher who has come back from his injury and I think he had a good game last night [against Derby]. He showed he can be an option for us in front."

"All the suspended players are coming back like Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Chaz Austin and Yan Valery, who can all play on Saturday which is a good thing. "

"I think we really need fresh players on Saturday because we played 120 minutes, which is tough to go for a lot of them. I can’t make a change or rotate in every position because it is not possible due to the injuries we have, but we will have a look."

"It depends how physically strong every player is and I have a few very strong players and a few who are not so far in their development. That’s why I have to have a good eye on the guys today and tomorrow to see how they feel and how fresh they are.”

So it is good to see that Hasenhuttl has some more options on Saturday, at Leicester the starting XI was strong but the bench was a little under strength, although Ralph is not afraid to play the youngsters he has to get the happy balance and some are a little too raw at the moment and will make mistakes.

Hasenhuttl will also be able to bring some of the players he rested on Wednesday back into the starting line up, Jan Bednarek was badly missed in defence and Nathan Redmond showed in the second half that he is fast becoming indispensable and at the heart of all we create going forward.


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