[ad_pod ]

Southampton were rocked by an injury blow prior to their clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday as Cedric was ruled out of the encounter.

What’s the word?

The Portugal international pulled out of the starting XI prior to kick-off, with midfielder James Ward-Prowse playing at right wing-back.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was disappointed with the injury, insisting that it adversely affected his side’s preparation for the game.

He said, per journalist Ben Dinnery: “It wasn’t the perfect start. You prepare for the game and then half an hour before he says he can’t play.

“I don’t know what happened. It wasn’t the best preparation for the game.”

The reason

Spurs were there for the taking on Saturday.

Serge Aurier was sent off in the first-half and Southampton pulled level through Danny Ings after falling behind to Tanguy Ndombele’s early goal.

However, Harry Kane scored before half-time and the Saints were unable to find a way through in the second half, despite tallying nearly 60% of possession, per WhoScored.

Ward-Prowse struggled to have an impact on the right flank, laying on just one key pass, compared to Ryan Bertrand’s three on the other side.

Hasenhuttl, of course, was forced into a late change prior to kick-off and, thus, a central midfielder was played out of position.

While he did make three tackles, he was largely unable to make inroads in the opposition half.

Cedric, who scored against Portsmouth in the week, could have; maybe he would have been the man to provide the spark his side were lacking.