The Southampton defender has been away on international duty since the start of last month.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhüttl addressed the media during his pre-match press conference, and suggested that Maya Yoshida’s return from the Asia Cup has presented him with somewhat of a selection dilemma ahead of his side’s clash with Cardiff City tomorrow, as quoted by the Daily Echo.
The Saints have conceded just four goals in as many Premier League outings since the 30-year-old Japan international has been away on international duty, and they seem to be a far more solid outfit now than they were a month ago.
Yoshida has been a consistent performer for Southampton, however, since moving to St Mary’s fro VVV Venlo in the summer of 2012, so having him back will undoubtedly be a bonus for the south coast club.
Hasenhüttl spoke to reporters, and admitted that the Japanese’s return to the fold has presented him with a pleasant problem, as quoted by the Daily Echo:
“I have a problem now. Maya Yoshida is back and when he left the last game he played was a zero-zero against Chelsea, the only clean sheet since I’ve been here. It’s a good signal for the team if a player comes back and the team works very good that he’s not automatically back in the team.”
Southampton are far from safe from the threat of relegation, so tomorrow’s clash with Cardiff will be vitally important, but whether Hasenhüttl will bring Yoshida back to the fold, for what is essentially a six-pointer, remains to be seen.
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