Toby Alderweireld could play against Manchester United on Monday evening, but the fact of the matter is that Saints will still be very stretched.

Saints will definitely be missing Morgan Schneiderlin and Jack Cork for Mondays visit of the Salford Devils, add to that James Ward Prowse and three of our five first choice central midfielders will be missing from the fray.

But the good news is that Toby Alderweireld could be fit to play, its seems that the hamstring trouble was more a case of fatigue rather than any lasting damage and although it will be touch and go he could be fit for battle.

However I would say that he would be better employed in the back four then in the centre of midfield, the fatigue would almost certainly be due to the fact that on Wednesday his move in to midfield meant far more running and stress on his muscles then he would be used to in the centre of defence, midfield is a far more continuous action are than defence where you get periods of inactivity whilst your side attacks.

So surely it would make more sense for Alderweireld if fit to play in his normal position than risk further aggravating the problem.

Likelihood though is that Alderweireld will not be fit enough for Saints to risk him and they may prefer to save him for a tough period of games in quick succession coming up, starting with the trip to Burnley and the very important Capital One Cup quarter final at Sheffield United.

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