Mario Lemina is a class midfielder when he is fit and he could return to action in the next week or so as Saints face a crucial 8 games in 5 days
Mario Lemina was a regular in the starting line up in the first half of the season starting 17 matches plus another as sub, but he has not featured since coming off at half time in the loss to Manchester City at home on 30th December.
But he is now back in full training and could feature in any of the next three games starting with Saints trip up to Newcastle on Saturday.
"Mario Lemina made a big step forward in the week,” Hasenhüttl told the media at his pre-match press conference. "He’s trained with the team and looks much better now — that’s good for him and good for us.
"We know we have an intense week with three games, so it will be nice if we have one more option in this position.
"I have spoken about it and I am sure he will play [at least] one more game this season. The chances are big because now he is training with the team, so maybe his injury has come to an end.”
In other news Jannik Vestergaard is a doubt for the trip to St James’ Park having missed training on Tuesday and Wednesday but Hasenhuttl is hopeful that he could be fit for Saturday.
"Like in the last weeks, after intense games he has little problems and needs a little bit longer for recovery,”
"It’s a long season with a huge body, so at the moment he is struggling a little bit, but let’s have a look and see if it’s possible at the weekend."
But the manager does have what he describes as "little problems” for Alex McCarthy, Matt Targett and Charlie Austin, but the trio may still be available, the good news though is that Yan Valery is definitely fit to play.
Michael Obafemi continues to train alone as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play again for the first team this season..