If you thought that things couldn't get worse for Russell Martin after the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, then think again, injuries to two key players in the past fortnight have added to his woes.

Saints are now being left to rue the missed opportunities in the opening 11 games of the season, when points were dropped due to overplaying the possession football game, now with several tough fixtures coming up, they are going to be without Aaron Ramsdale and Jan Bednarek.

The Daily Echo has reported from Russell Martin's pre match press conference ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool.

The Saints manager has confirmed that Ramsdale has had surgery and will now miss some key matches.

"Aaron's had an operation on his finger so expect him to be back hopefully, this side of Christmas.

"Janny B is always the worry and the risk when they go away for an international break and one of the guys that you end up with has an injury.

"We spoke very quickly after the game and Janny was really worried about his knee. Thankfully the scan showed it's not as significant as we might have feared."

"He will be hopefully a week or two before Aaron, but they'll miss this small block of games and we'll do everything we can to get them back quickly.

"It's a massive blow ahead of what is a busy period as they've been two of our best players. They've been two of our best players all season."

Martin also went on to confirm that Alex McCarthy will return to the team.

"I'm excited for him. I have so much trust in Alex, we all do, and I really mean that. The guys see what a top goalkeeper is every day.

"I'm comfortable with Alex going in. He's done a brilliant job for us whenever he's played. At the end of last season, maybe we're not here if he doesn't perform.

"There was so much calmness and composure. If he came in a bit anxious, what he'd have done to the team... but he was immense.

"He's only not in the team because a goalkeeper all of a sudden wanted to come here after a lot of work, and it didn't look achievable at one point."

Sadly for Martin these injuries might well be the starting point of the beginning of the end of his time at Southampton, although Alex McCarthy was undoubtably a hero of the play off's last season, the Championship is a lot different to playing the likes of Liverpool in the Premier League.

All Photos Via Reuters

allsaint54 added 22:20 - Nov 21 If AM is so 'brilliant' why did we spend £25M on another keeper? Just more bull from RM.
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Block8 added 09:16 - Nov 22 AM will be fine it's CB that is a concern and how we shape up in midfield!
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dirk_doone added 10:47 - Nov 22 "I have so much trust in Alex, we all do" Oh no we don't.
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