The Saints ace, with eight goals in all competitions this season, has been out with a hamstring injury.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has provided an injury update at Friday’s pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixture.
The Saints have a Sunday fixture, heading to North London to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a 2:05pm kickoff – a tall order considering the visitors are battling relegation and the hosts are gunning for Europe.
On a positive note, Southampton ought to be well rested as they have had two weeks off from competitive action, their last fixture coming on 9 February – the 2-1 loss to Cardiff City – as they weren’t involved in the FA Cup last weekend.
Following a warm-weather training camp in Tenerife, the Saints are back in England and primed for a return to competitive action, with Premier League survival very much at stake.
Hasenhuttl spoke about several players who had been sidelined at the last count and it’s good news regarding Michael Obafemi and Stuart Armstrong.
The Austrian had slightly less good news regarding Mario Lemina and Danny Ings, however, the latter – with eight goals in all competitions this term – not expected back now until the Tottenham Hotspur game on 9 March.
“We have a few players back in training,” Hasenhuttl told the official club website. “Michael Obafemi has trained the whole two weeks with the team – his injury has gone and he has no muscle problems anymore.
“Mario Lemina still hasn’t trained with the team, but he’s getting better and better. [Stuart] Armstrong is back on the pitch, with no problems in the last two weeks. Danny Ings is still out. The Arsenal game is too early; Man United and Fulham could be close, but I expect him back for the Tottenham game.”
Southampton currently sit 18th in the Premier League table, one point from safety.
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