have been dealt a blow as key midfielder Gaston Ramirez has been sidelined for six weeks.

The Uruguay international moved to the Premier League new boys from Bologna in the summer in a deal thought to be worth around £12 million, a club record for the St Marys side.

The South American has impressed the Southampton faithful so far with industrious displays for his new club, however he has suffered a dead leg and will be on the sidelines until December.

"I think six weeks is probably about right, but we'll see how he progresses through the rehab stages," Saints manager Nigel Adkins confirmed to The Daily Mail.

"If the time is from the medical department, it is from the date of original injury. He is showing good signs of recovery at this moment of time, but he won't be fit for the weekend," he commented.

Ramirez missed the 2-2 draw with Fulham before the international break, and will now go through a series of rehabilitation to try and return to fitness as soon as possible.

The newly-promoted side have found the going tough in the top flight to date, with only one win from their first seven games leaving them down in 17th place in the table.

Southampton have also conceded the most goals in the division, with opponents hitting the back of their net on 20 occasions in the last seven games.

The Saints will look to get three points this Saturday however, as they take on West Ham at Upton Park.