Saints have a virtual clean bill of health for the game against Newcastle United with Shane Long fit after his injury on international duty.

Manuel Pellegrino has confirmed that he has no new injury issues for Sunday's game against Newcastle United and that Shane Long has taken part in a full training session with no adverse reaction and is fit and available for selection.

Pellegrino said when asked if Long was fit:

“I think so. He was training today 100 per cent. He is much better.

“I think he will be ready.”

He also confirmed that everyone has returned from International duty without any injuries and only need to be assessed for tiredness depending on distances travelled.

“All of them are ok,”

“Most of them didn’t play the second game — Mario, Fraser, Ryan, Shane, Davis, the second game were more or less had time to recover properly and I think they will be ready, most of them."

“When you go to international senior teams and you are playing important games it is something you have to be there focused 100 per cent and when they come back you don’t know how they will react.

“The conclusion for me is that I have to know how is the evolution of them between the international break and a Premier League game and not everybody reacts in the same way.

“Not everybody reacts in the same way and some are more prepared to play more games.

“In this situation I think all of them are prepared.”

That means the only player in the squad likely to not be considered for the game will be Matt Targett who has a longer term injury although not serious.

Photo: Action Images

SaintBrock added 16:13 - Oct 13 In all fairness will it really matter much if he is available to play or not? He isn't very good anymore.
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patred added 00:02 - Oct 14 The sooner we change to 3 central defenders, and 2 up front the better. We have the players to do that. But it would take a leap of faith from the manager and his staff.
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AmericanSaint added 07:04 - Oct 14 If Long starts, then MP has lost his senses. Long has not scored since the last year and he is now more of a utility player.He should be on the bench and brought in during the last part of the games to run at tired defenses. Mano should start period along with Austin to do a one-two punch.
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steadyeddie added 00:56 - Oct 15 GOALS
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