Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has cast doubt on the remainder of Moussa Djenepo, Sofiane Boufal and Yan Valery’s seasons.
The Austrian admitted there will be no risks taken in the final four games of the campaign, with such a short turnaround between seasons set to rush any rehab timetables.
“With muscle issues you can never be sure,” he said.
“It’s too high risk, because we don’t have a long break into next season, so they can’t take six weeks off to recover.”
The Saints boss has certainly ruled them out of Monday’s trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, and said the club would monitor them going forward ahead of the season’s closure.
Valery in particular has really struggled for continuity in the team, with what was hoped to be his breakout season at St. Mary’s perennially interrupted by a combination of injury and illness.
The young Frenchman’s performances on the field have been similarly inconsistent, but a clean bill of health and preparation for next season will surely have him a place in the starting XI again.
Vestergaard to return?
In some more positive injury news, Hasenhuttl is hopeful that Jannik Vestergaard will be fit to join the squad in Manchester as he nurses a thigh issue.
The Dane has missed Southampton’s last two encounters, but could be poised to make a return to the line-up after a positive performance against Watford two weeks ago.
Saints on form
Saints go into the clash with United without their star trio but with their tails standing upright after a run of three games unbeaten.
Last Sunday’s 1-0 home win over Manchester City has certainly been the highlight of Project Restart for Saints fans, and they will be hoping for a repeat performance against City’s neighbours this time around.