Will Smallbone is sidelined once again due to a hamstring injury, adding to Southampton’s growing concerns as they prepare for a daunting trip to Manchester City on Saturday.
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The Saints have struggled since their return to the Premier League, accumulating just one point from their opening eight matches and losing their last three in succession.
Manager Russell Martin, already under scrutiny for the team’s poor form, faces an even tougher challenge this weekend. Southampton will be without Smallbone, who recently returned from a similar hamstring issue but suffered a fresh setback during the recent game against Leicester City.
The midfielder’s absence is a significant blow to the squad, especially with other players also facing fitness issues.
Yuki Sugawara, who has been a regular in the starting lineup with eight league appearances this season, is another potential absentee. He picked up a minor injury and, while Martin remains hopeful, it is unclear if the defender will recover in time for the match against City.
“Yuki had to come off, so we’re managing him carefully this week. Another 24 hours will determine if he’s ready to start or not, so we’ll have to make a decision soon,” Martin said during a press conference.
On Smallbone’s condition, Martin expressed his frustration: “Will is out for a little while now, which is really disappointing for us. Ross Stewart is also out for a period of time, which is hard for him and the team.”
The Southampton boss also addressed Adam Lallana’s situation. The veteran midfielder, who rejoined Southampton in the summer, has seen limited game time, making only one Premier League start and a few substitute appearances.
Lallana’s experience remains valuable, but at 36 years old, his physical limitations are a factor in Martin’s selection process.
“Adam is very involved with us, both on and off the pitch. He understands his role here, but at his age, we can’t expect him to play every game. He’s a talented and experienced player who can help us at the right moments, and we’re managing his involvement based on how he feels.”
Last weekend’s defeat to Leicester was a bitter pill for the Saints to swallow. Despite leading 2-0, they ended up losing 3-2 following a 98th-minute goal from Jordan Ayew and a red card for Ryan Fraser in the second half. However, Martin remains optimistic, pointing out positives in his team’s performance.
“There was a lot of good in that game,” Martin said. “The players have never lacked work ethic or commitment. I think they’ve been frustrated, but the competition in training has been strong this week.”
As Southampton brace for a tough encounter against Manchester City, injuries and suspensions add to the uphill battle, with Martin hoping his side can find a way to turn their season around.
