Danny Ings is very much in contention for a place against his old club Burnley on Sunday according to Saints boss Mark Hughes who has given the media an update on his squad.

Mark Hughes has confirmed that Danny Ings will go straight into the squad for the opening game of the Premier League season against Burnley on Sunday at St Mary's, speaking ahead of the game Hughes said.

“Danny is available and we’ll have a look at him in the next couple of days,” Hughes said.

“Clearly there’s great enthusiasm from him and he wants to be a part of the opening game. He’s fit and well and has trained and had gametime in pre-season. We’ll see how he goes but he’s certainly an option for me.”

Aside from the arrival of Ings Hughes has a fully fit squad to choose from aside from Cedric Soares lacking game time after his late arrival to pre season due to his participation in the World Cup and a bout of illness that prevented him reporting back on time.

Hughes commented.

“Cedric has been back since Monday. He was poorly last week and he looks okay now; he’s a fit guy anyway and has been to the World Cup of course. If he’s fit and I think he’s right and ready, it won’t be a problem for him to play.

“He will be honest with himself and us about how he feels and we will have that conversation nearer the time but as it stands, he’s certainly an option for us too for the weekend.

“I’ve got a fully fit squad of 25 players who are all ready to go, as it should be.”

Hughes now has a nice problem, a fully fit squad and options in all departments, my feeling is that Ings will start on the bench and that Cedric won't make the squad, the manager perhaps considering that with Burnley lacking in attacking options that he can sacrifice a little at the back to bolster his own side going forward.

That being the case he will give Cedric another week to get right ahead of the visit to Everton where it is likely to be more of a game Saints will be on the back foot.

Photo: Action Images

skiptotheloo added 11:38 - Aug 10 Sounds like the probable (& wisest) course of action. Having been disappointed at 5pm yesterday (cursing the fact that we had spent 15m on a GK that however good an investment we didn't need, and having not invested in firepower) it seems to have come good. I am optimistic that Ings will produce the goods and hopefully his presence will spur Gabbiadini and Austin along too. We need to take full advantage of a depleted and possibly tired Burnley on Sunday, the intro of Ings in the second half will give the team and the fans a boost. Roll on the free ice cream!

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InsideOut added 11:47 - Aug 10 Yeah as you say, it's a nice provlem to have. Competition for places is key to getting the most out of players. Could be a smart move to play Targett this week, let him show what he can do and what level Cédric needs to play at to be picked. I'm feeling positive about the season now we have added Ings to the squad, hope there's a good spirit in the dressing room and in the stands. COYR !!

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skiptotheloo added 11:58 - Aug 10 Agreed. Targett looked sharp last week and is the best option against Burnley with Cedric looking unlikely. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the actions of Klopp over the Ings piece. I'm not a Klopp fan (man not manager), as he seems like a bit of a petulant clown, however he did display some class yesterday.
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Scoot added 14:24 - Aug 10 Clippity klopp was good yesterday when he said if he could give Ings enthusiasm to the rest of his players he'd win the league.
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aceofthebase added 15:27 - Aug 10 If Everton is 'more of a game' I'm hoping that Cedric doesn't make the coach.
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Alehouse added 16:58 - Aug 10 I hope Cedric is fit to play. I went to last Saturday's match with high hopes for a good display from Targett, having read the reports of his previous performance. I was disappointed to see that not much has changed. He continually turned back and inside onto his left foot, he's clearly out of position on the right. He doesn't offer enough going forward to be part of a 5 man defence as he lacks pace and doesn't get up and down the line. Even when he plays on the left he checks back as soon as someone from midfield moves across to cover. He does deliver a good ball if he gets into position.

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