Saints will be without 3 key players for up to a month but Ronald Koeman for one isn't worried that we won't be able to cope.

Ask most Saints fans for their top player this season and the likelihood is that most of them will say one of the currently injured trio of Toby Alderweireld, Morgan Schneiderlin & Victor Wanyama.

It cannot be denied that they are the spine of the side and obviously we would prefer to be with them than without them, however this is a drama not a crisis and we can cope with their loss especially in the middle of the park where we have a number of players who can slot in to replace both of the missing players in that department.

The return of Jack Cork will ease the situation but the fact remains that we cannot afford to lose anyone else in that area.

Likewise in central defence where we are down to only the two fit central defenders, before Wanyama's injury that was not a problem in that either Wanyama or Cork could have slotted in and covered, but now that is not the case and although Cork is fit we cannot afford to move him out of the midfield.

Ronald Koeman is not worried though and is stating that he is not intending to make any moves in the transfer department to bring in cover.

“I still think we can still handle this up until now, but if we get more problems then of course it will be a problem for us,” the Dutchman said.

“We know that.”

However i think we can take this with a pinch of salt, Koeman has been very none committal here and always plays his cards close to his chest, not only that but like any good leader he exudes an air of calm rather than panic and he is steadying the ship here.

But I think deep down the Dutchman knows there is a problem and although that problem will go away hopefully in early February when hopefully the injured players return and are joined by the likes of Mane & Yoshida away on international duty he knows the loss of three key players to injury would stretch any squad in the Premier league let alone Saints.

So I would not be surprised to see Koeman utilise the transfer window for a loan signing of a central defender although I think this will happen after the Crystal Palace game when Koeman has more of an idea not only of how long the players will be out,but when Yoshida will return.

One thing is for sure Saints seem to be picking up an extraoridinary amount of injuries of late and seemingly a game doesn't go by without another one being added.

Photo: Action Images

SonicBoom added 18:42 - Jan 16 I'm glad he's not worried cos I am. Yes we have players that can play in midfield, but the problem is that they just aren't as good. If they were they would be first choice.
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GeordieSaint added 20:43 - Jan 16 The question is not who won't play but who will? Davis and ward prowse are nailed on and it is probably best to go with reed and keep cork on the bench. He is versatile and can replace any of those players. Maybe play them all, push Jwp wider start Elia and keep tadic on the bench for the impact. That is what I would do on a computer game. Forster Clyne fonte gardos Bertrand Reed cork Jwp Davis Elia Pelle Loads of options for a tactician like Ronald.

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Saintsfaninoz added 08:47 - Jan 18 @GeordieSaint. Agreed with your 1st team. However... We are very thin at CB. If either of Gardos or Fonte go down, then we are in uncharted academy territory. It looks like Japan are going to have a sustained run in the Asian Cup, so we won't have Yoshida back for at least 2 weeks, and the midfield is light with both Schneiderlin and Wanyama injured. Luckily, we have a relatively easy schedule of fixtures coming up. This is the time when having a deep squad (see Chelski, City, Arsenal, Man Utd) really counts.

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