Saints will give game time to both Cedric Soares and Maya Yoshida after their return to the squad following their exploits in Russia in the World Cup.

With the Premier League season approaching fast Mark Hughes is likely to give game time to both Cedric Soares and Maya Yoshida when Celta Vigo visit St Mary's this evening, with the opening Premier League game against Burnley now only 11 days away if either are to play a part in that game then they have to get some minutes on the pitch under their belt.

Cedric's last game for Portugal was on 25th June when he played in the final group game against Iran although his participation in the tournament didn't end till the 30th of that month when he was an unused substitute in Portugal's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay.

Yoshida was in action a little later with his last game in Russia being Japan's 3-2 defeat to Belgium on July 2nd.

Since then both have enjoyed their first break in nearly a year from the rigours of training and then competitive games and although they will maintain a level of fitness from a month ago, there is a difficult balance to be achieved to ensure that they have had some rest, some fitness work and also match action without over doing it.

But if they are to play against Burnley they they both need to get significant time on the pitch against both Celta Vigo and Borrussia Monchengladbach, however with these two games being in the space of three days, Mark Hughes will be wary of overworking them so soon after their return.

Perhaps the main priority though will be Cedric, if Hughes wants to play 4-4-2 against Burnley then he has no natural right back to hand apart from the untried Yan Valery and would then be likely to use Wesley Hoedt and Jannik Vestergaard as his two central defenders.

If he went for three central defenders then he could add Jan Bednarek to those two mentioned to form the back line trio or even Jack Stephens.

Either way Yoshida probably starts the season as 4th choice centre back and is not essential to the squad assuming everyone is fit, indeed it would be likely that he would not have even been on the bench anyway for the visit of Burnley.

It's a good problem to have for Hughes, however it does highlight the lack of depth we have at right back unless Valery emerges as a genuine first team contender.

Photo: Action Images

arthurfane added 10:18 - Aug 1 Yoshida STARTS as 4th choice, purely because he's reported back late for pre-season (after a sparkling world cup) - really believe this is his season to kick on. Would love to see a back three of Yoshi and Bednarek either side of the man mountain Vestergaard. If Cedric isn't fit in time to face Burnley, I'd give Reed a shot at RWB - impressive for Norwich and hasn't looked out of place there for Saints this pre-season. Excited to see how we fare against stronger opposition in Celta and Borussia M'gb.

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highfield49 added 10:27 - Aug 1 Having never seen Valery play I can't make any comment on his potential, but the club obviously feel he is worth retaining. That said Cedric is the only right back with experience at the top level. Stephens is the obvious back up but his style of play doesn't fill me with confidence that he could comfortable at wing back. Maybe MH is looking to Reed or JWP as potential converts to the right sided role? As we are a somewhat top heavy with midfield players it would make sense to utilise these guys in an alternative position as both have already shown that they can adapt when required.

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helpineedsomebody added 10:40 - Aug 1 in the last 2 seasons yoshi fouls players just outside the penalty box, then when the ball is crossed into the box he fails to head the ball away resulting in a goal. he has done this on a consistent basis in the last 2 seasons. the resultis the club has had to spend money on 3 new centre backs . for me he has had his chance & would loan him out along side his partner jack stephens who cant mark properly & is way out of his depth at this level.

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Saidou added 10:54 - Aug 1 Yan Valery is an able, ready cover for Cedric. All he needs is game time. Reed is a very good player and although he impressed at RWB, I prefer Jan at the position due to his superior defensive attributes. And We do not need to buy a RB. I think The club is trying to push more academy players in and thats encouraging to me. We havent had a serious first team breakthrough for four years now despite claiming to have the best academy, and giving chance to youngsters if they are good enough. Well, the only way we can know if they are good enough is by giving them a good run of games. Reed, Targett and Gallagher have shown how good they can be if given playing time. Am I the only person who missed that cup game against Palace when Targett, Reed, Hesketh, JWP...all played under CPuel and Hesketh scored? Man! That was a good feeling😀.

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mikesaint added 13:34 - Aug 1 What has happened to Saints deal to sign winger Quincy Promes from Spartak Moscow? We where told it was as good as done in the January transfer window but would happen in the summer.
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wibbersda added 14:31 - Aug 1 New Season...same old Yosh bashing!
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TeamCortese added 21:40 - Aug 1 mikesaint: yet again another display of false promes from the board unfortunately ;)
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zonehead added 08:17 - Aug 2 I think it's Romeu who gives away fouls just outside the box not yoshi
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LoisDeem added 09:54 - Aug 2 Central defence and deep midfield are the key positions where free kicks are 'given away'. A lot of this down to official interpretation and are usually 'soft' as opposed to 'silly'. Probably why we saw more dead ball goals in the World Cup, and where we should improve offensively. Both Maya and Oriel are clearly trying to eliminate the 'silly' bits from their game, so if the team all improve in the same way...happy days...upper mid table.

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