When Southampton winger Moussa Djenepo went off in tears during the 1-0 win against Liverpool earlier this month, it had seemed as if the Mali international could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Ralph Hasenhuttl also suggested that the 22-year-old's injury was a "horrible" one for him due to the injury problems he has already struggled with during his time with the South Coast club.

The Austrian is suffering something of an injury crisis at Southampton at the moment, with several first-team players ruled out, but it seems as if he is set to be handed a huge boost with Djenepo.

A report from the Hampshire Live has suggested that the young winger has already returned to the grass and could make his return to action as early as this month.

Whilst this weekend's FA Cup fixture against Arsenal will likely come too soon for him, Hasenhuttl has suggested that he hopes to have Djenepo back during January, so perhaps we could see him return in the league fixture against Aston Villa on the 30th of this month.

Since signing from Standard Liege in the summer of 2019, the winger has made 34 appearances for the Saints, managing just three goals and two assists in that time.

He has struggled for consistency in terms of attacking returns this season, with just one goal and no assists to his name in 13 top-flight appearances, which has led to him averaging a disappointing 6.56 rating.

However, with Nathan Redmond also sidelined, meaning Hasenhuttl has had to turn to his youngsters regularly this season, the Austrian will surely be glad to welcome Djenepo back from injury this month, as it could be a game-changer when considering the Saints' lack of goals in recent top-flight fixtures, and the creativity that the 22-year-old can offer at times.

Hopefully, he can start to produce performances such as his match-winning display against Sheffield United last season, which led Redmond to label him "super-talented", following an impressive solo goal.

Considering the former RB Leipzig boss selected Will Smallbone out of position on the left-wing in their last Premier League fixture, and he is now ruled out for the season, it can definitely be considered a huge boost that he will soon have Djenepo back available, so hopefully the Mali international can stay fit and start to add more goals and assists to his game.

And, in other news... Forget JWP: 6 ft 2 Southampton beast who had 112 touches was Hasenhuttl's FA Cup star