Saints have no new injury concerns sustained since the defeat to Wolves, but they will be without three key players with Ralph Hasenhuttl needing to reshuffle his back four once again.

Kyle Walker Peters will miss the game against Chelsea and a few games after, meaning that Ralph Hasenhuttl has to make a decision who will play at right back.

"Still not very happy about what's going on with our injuries,"

"Kyle Walker-Peters is out for a few weeks, maybe, and that definitely hurts us. He was a big part of our good run and when he was not there we've had a worse run. It's a never-ending story of this season, players getting injured.

"With Ibra [Diallo] and Theo Walcott too, we're missing three important players for our game. We have to trust the players we do have available.

"The first win after such a run is always the most difficult, but the most important, and one we're fighting for."

The Austrian could stick with a back four and play Jack Stephens in the right back position, or alternatively he could play Jan Bednarek there with Mohammed Salisu coming in.

Also he could revert to a back three with Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Bertrand as wing backs.

The bad news is we could do with Walker Peters, the good news is we do have options.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 15:32 - Feb 18 There are likely several other combinations that we could suggest, but If not Kayne Ramsay (..well everyone has to learn)...then Stephens / Bednarek at RB, and bring in Salisu at CB. It has taken 6 months to get Salisu up and running and some game time against a side like Chelsea will be a good test of what he can / cannot handle at this level. Having lost 6 on the bounce, we'd be hard put to get points even with a full strength line-up. Aside from the inevitable criticisms about our defensive shortcomings, surely the real problem still exists up front where our goal tally is simply abysmal. In the last 10 Prem. games, win, lose or draw we have managed ..(wait for it) ...95 shots and scored just 5 goals. Had we scored 1 goal more in each of those matches, we would have been 10 points better off than we are now ...and much higher in table. Nuff said.

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SanMarco added 15:56 - Feb 18 Nuff said indeed!! I believe we should play Ramsey or Salisu at RB. I don't think JS is the answer to this particular problem.
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AmericanSaint added 20:21 - Feb 18 Yes, please do not play JS at right back. The last time he did, he was a disaster.
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sandywelsh added 11:09 - Feb 19 Looks like Ralph Hasenhuttl is fed up with the Southampton Board when he says "We have our limits. We don't have a squad that is able to handle injuries as the others do. https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/ralph-hasenhuttl-sou
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ElijahK added 12:21 - Feb 19 Oh sandywelsh Ralph can’t blame the board or our owner seeing that as soo many on here’s said of how great they are! I mean it’s certainly not like all us fans and such said we needed a backup fullback and such and was saying that was the most important position to get... I mean it’s certainly not the boards/owners fault that we have such a thin squad
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