Speaking ahead of the trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton on Saturday, Ralph Hasenhuttl has been telling the media of his squad's fitness and there is good news for Saints fans.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that James Ward Prowse has been training with the squad all of this week and is likely to start against Everton.

“He’s going to be OK, he trained the whole week and I’m looking forward to having him back on Saturday.”

Saints’ only other injury concern is Will Smallbone, who has been on the sidelines since mid-January with a long-term injury.

“Will is still recovering and so far not with the team, hopefully he’ll also come back in the future but it’ll take a little bit more time.

“Everybody else is fit. After a tough and hard pre-season this is a good signal. We worked good with them, we had a good balance of pushing them hard and also recovering in the right moment.”

The other question that is on the lips of Saints supporters is what part will the new signings play in the game and Ralph had this to say.

“The size of the squad is much better than last season, we have more quality definitely and more numbers.

“Some players have been here since the first day of the pre-season like Romain (Perraud), I think for him it’s not difficult, he’s now been here for six weeks. He knows everything. He has trained with us, he has played with us.

“Tino Livramento, also OK. For Adam (Armstrong) and (Armando) Broja it’s a little bit more difficult, now they are stepping in before the first game. I think it’ll take a little bit longer, we are busy showing them our philosophy and working with them everyday to get them in a good mental shape also. The time will come quickly where they will also have to play.”

Although it was good to hear that the manager has virtually a full squad to pick from, he has given little actually away, Romain Peraud seems a no brainer in that he is the only specialist experienced left back in the squad and with all the squad fit both Livramento and Broja would most likely be on the bench.

So the big question is whether Ralph feels that Adam Armstrong is ready for the starting line up.

My feeling is that either Theo Walcott or Nathan Tella will partner Che Adams up front at Goodison and that we won't see our new signing from Blackburn until the second half.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 14:06 - Aug 13 Will be interesting to see if we are having the same conversation this time next year. A good season from JWP will put him in the £50 million + class and it will be good to see which clubs will dig deep to find the money for that size of fee. Unless we have a "good season " (unsure what is in present circumstances?) we may eventually see Prowsey on the move but Ralph will be reluctant to sell him, at least until we have a good replacement. A few good free kicks goals in the opening games will certainly generate some media attention and boost his value even more.

0

Southampton Polls