Ralph Hasenhuttl has explained why Yan Valery has been absent from the first-team squad in recent fixtures.
The Frenchman has lost his place in the starting line-up to Cedric Soares, but it came as a surprise that he was excluded from the manager’s 18-man selection for matchdays of late.
However, speaking in his press conference ahead of this weekend’s encounter with West Ham United at St Mary’s, Hasenhuttl revealed that Valery is still nursing a virus as he continues to work his way back into contention.
As quoted by the club’s official website, the manager said:
Yan Valery was out the last two weeks. He is out for longer, he has a virus, an infection which will take time.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Valery’s struggles for full fitness make Cedric’s recent inclusions far more understandable. The Portugal international has been terrible, but there is no credible alternative for Hasenhuttl.
When Valery does return to the picture, though, he should be given another chance to impress. While he has been somewhat underwhelming this term, Cedric has been the team’s worst player for the past five matches.
Also, with the 28-year-old poised to depart the club before too long, Hasenhuttl should look towards the future, making it a rather straightforward selection on the right-hand side of the defence.
