There is one name returning to the squad for this weekend's game against Chelsea, but the bad news is that there looks to be at least one injury drop out from those who featured in last weekend's draw with Leeds United.

Central defender Lyanco returns to the squad for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday, although having been out for two months it is not likely that he will play any part in this game and will be more likely to come back into real contention for the following weeks game against Arsenal or even the trip to Burnley.

But as one comes back from injury someone else picks on up, Shane Long may have only played a few minutes up at Elland Road, but he still won several free kicks and picked up an ankle injury.

Ralph Hasenhuttl had this to say about the weeks injury news:

“From the training ground this week, Lyanco is back in training with the team.

“[He’s completed the] first two sessions and today he made a rest, but it’s good to have him back on the pitch.

"[Alex McCarthy] is back in training, training with the goalkeeper team and is on the way back building up his qualities.

“Longy was not involved in the sessions so far this week. Today he was light training outside with his ankle injury he had in the Leeds game.

“It’s not that serious, It was good we had a scan immediately and he rested for two days and we’ll see how his ankle reacts to the session today and let’s have a look if he’s available for the weekend.”

With loanee Armando Broja unavailable to play against his parent club, if Long doesn't pass muster it will leave Saints short (Not Long) up front with only Che Adams & Adam Armstrong recognised strikers, although there is an option to play Nathan Redmond, Theo Walcott or even Djenepo up front.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 08:09 - Apr 8 Good to read that Lyanco is nearing a return to action and, tongue in cheek, that McCarthy is "building up his qualities". Have I missed something on the fitness front though, because it seems that the obvious candidate to play up front in the absence of Broja would would be Tella if Adams and Armstrong aren't preferred.
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IanRC added 08:55 - Apr 8 Probably an unpopular view but I hope Redmond gets some time.
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saint22 added 09:09 - Apr 8 Theo Walcott is not an option
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