How Many Saints Players Will Be Missing For Will Still On International Duty
With the first International break of the season coming straight after the end of the summer transfer window, Will Still would be hoping to use that time to get his squad into his way of thinking, but how many will be missing.
The answer to the question is 7, but the good news is that only one of last week's new arrivals will be away with their country.
Finn Azaz is the only new signing who will be missing for the next 10 days or so, he will be joining Gavin Bazunu & Ryan Manning in the Republic Of Ireland's squad to play Hungary & Armenia in the World Cup qualifiers.
Shea Charles will be in Northern Ireland's for their World Cup qualifiers and Will Still might be looking closely at this one as the midfielder could well be Captain of the side in these games as he has been in some of their previous fixtures and as we all know the Saints team lack a leader, perhaps Charles could be that man.
Jay Robinson has been selected for the England Under 19 squad and Damion Downs has a long trip to the USA to represent his country against Japan & Korea.
The last Southampton player to be missing is Joshua Quarshie who joins the German U21 squad.
That means that although Will Still will be without these 7 players, only Finn Azaz is a new arrival, so all of the other recent signings will be at Staplewood for the fortnight to work with their new manager and team mates.
So good news especially as Still has to decide not only whether his new signings are in line for full debuts in the derby game against Portsmouth, but whether he now has the personnel to change the formation from the back 3 set up he has been forced to use in the opening 4 League games due to a lack of wingers.
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