Many Southampton fans have welcomed an update from Ralph Hasenhuttl that defenders Kyle Walker-Peters and Mohammed Salisu are set to return to action from their respective injury issues.
The Saints have been without Walker-Peters since the 1-0 win against Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round, with the 23-year-old suffering an injury to his quad. That has prompted Yan Valery, James Ward-Prowse, Jack Stephens and Kayne Ramsay to all play at right-back during the last four Premier League matches, which have all ended in defeat for Hasenhuttl’s side.
The former Spurs defender has been one of the Saints’ most consistent performers so far this season and he had made the right-back spot his own, averaging 1.7 successful dribbles, 1.4 interceptions and 2.8 tackles per game in the Premier League (Sofascore). That shows how influential he can be at both ends of the field and how big a loss he has been in recent weeks.
Salisu is a less influential member of the squad at the moment, with the £10.9m man still awaiting his debut for the club after an injury issue prevented him featuring in the third round of the FA Cup against Shrewsbury Town.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Saints’ trip to Wolves in the FA Cup on Thursday, Hasenhuttl confirmed that both Walker-Peters and Salisu are set to provide a much-welcome boost to the numbers available to him, with the pair both fit enough to be included in the squad.
The manager said: “We have Kyle Walker-Peters back and Mohammed Salisu now able to play. We still have five injured players but it’s getting better, the squad is getting bigger now and it’s giving me more opportunities.”
Saints fans welcome update on Walker-Peters and Salisu
Many Southampton fans were thrilled by this update and believe that Walker-Peters’ return in particular will be “massive” for them over the next few weeks. Others are hoping they might finally get the chance to see Salisu play.
https://twitter.com/DAVIDCOOK8929/status/1359135889390243840?s=19
https://twitter.com/myles_cb/status/1359135703985250305?s=19
Massive https://t.co/Co93LZg9Os
— Chris (@cj_garrett) February 9, 2021
Yans been excellent for a long time, but wonder if he could do with a rest soon. Be good to see if Salisu is real #saintsfc
— Steve (@vibesniper37) February 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/SfcMqx/status/1359135466860253188?s=19
https://twitter.com/sotonianwill/status/1359135753322827777?s=19
HUGE BOOST https://t.co/tI2Va1Iyoq
— . (@IWSaint1) February 9, 2021
