Striking Crisis Ahead Of Leicester City Trip

Saints face a shortage of strikers through injury and suspension when they travel to Leicester City on Saturday.

Saints look to be short handed up front on Saturday with Danny Ings and Michael Obafemi both likely to miss a trip to the East Midlands for a second week running, they wil also be joined on the sidelines by Charlie Austin who has received a two match ban for his gesture to Manchester City fans in the final game of 2018, he of course is also joined by Pierre Emile Hojbjerg also banned.

Ralph Hasenhuttl commented on the situation at this afternoon's press conference and it wasn't good news.

"Michael Obafemi is going to take longer than we first thought, it's a tendon injury. That isn't good for us because we could use his speed."

"Danny Ings can be an option for the Everton game, I hope so. Sam Gallagher is also back on the pitch, he's had two sessions now. He looks good, which is good news."

But with Gallagher looking unlikely to feature due to fitness levels after a lengthy spell out injured that leaves the Austrian with Shane Long as the only fit striker and that is compounded with Manolo Gabbiadini not likely to make this game his swansong with a move to Sampdoria imminent.

Ralph does have options up front aside from Long, he could use either Nathan Redmond or Josh Sims in more advanced roles and Stuart Armstrong could also be utilised, but overall it is a crisis.

Ryan Bertrand also remains unavailable following a back problem, but has returned to the training pitch,

"Not for the Leicester game, it's far too early," the manager responded in answer to a question over Bertrand's condition. "He is training fit, but not match fit. It will take time.

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