MX23RW : Thursday, January 9 23:38:34| >> :600:109905:109905:

Southampton face nervous wait over fitness of Jack Stephens

Southampton face nervous wait over fitness of Jack Stephens
© Reuters
The defender has had knee problems recently and Saints hope the injury is nothing serious.

Southampton are enduring an anxious wait to learn the full extent of the injury Jack Stephens sustained against Manchester City.

The 27-year-old defender was forced off just before half-time during Saturday's goalless draw with the Premier League champions after dropping to the floor and clutching his right leg.

It is hoped the injury is a muscle problem, likely hamstring, but Stephens has struggled with a reoccurring knee issue recently, giving his manager Ralph Hasenhuttl some cause for concern.

"I don't know what it is but he has had knee problems. Hopefully it is not too bad," said Hasenhuttl.

"He was in perfect shape, he was a really important player for us. So early in the season an injury would not be good for us."

Hasenhuttl is likely to provide a fresh update on Stephens on Tuesday night, following Southampton's Carabao Cup tie against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Meanwhile, Valentino Livramento continues to catch the eye, after another impressive performance at the Etihad Stadium.

The 18-year-old full-back, signed from Chelsea last month, has played his way straight into the team and started all five of Saints' Premier League matches this season.

"Yes, I must say I'm super happy with this guy," said Hasenhuttl. "He was run out of energy in the end so we took him off.

"He shows every week how strong he is and when you play against such players like these you have to be good and one against one he is.

"He never stays, he is always going and that's what I want from him. Physically he is a good guy, a good height for a full-back, a fantastic player. But keep it calm – don't talk too much about him!

"I tell him that he will play immediately when he comes to us and I think that was something that helped him decide on coming to us.

"Kyle Walker-Peters was in his position but Kyle is now on the left. That tells you everything because Kyle was very important last season."

ID:464585:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3009:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Jack Stephens

Click here for more stories about Southampton

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Jimmy Greaves pictured in May 2013
Read Next:
'Absolute natural' Jimmy Greaves would be untouchable today - Terry Paine
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!