Ralph Hasenhuttl has provided an injury update on Southampton defender Jack Stephens...
What's the latest?
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that Jack Stephens suffered a knee injury in the draw with Manchester City on Saturday.
The centre-back hobbled off in the first half and Hasenhuttl has now revealed that it was due to a knock to his knee, although the full extent of the blow remains unknown.
"I don’t know what it is, but he had knee problems, so hopefully it is not too bad.
"But it wouldn’t be good, because he was in perfect shape.
"He was a really important player for us and so early in the season an injury wouldn’t be good for us."
Fans will be worried
Southampton fans will surely be worried by this injury update from Hasenhuttl as there is the potential for a knee injury to be a serious problem.
On the flip side, it may have been a precautionary move to take him off and he could have a few days in recovery before returning to training for Southampton. At this point, it remains unclear and that could be what causes Saints fans to worry.
Stephens has been an important member of the side this season, starting all five of the club's Premier League matches so far.
Hasenhuttl hailed the defender as a leader earlier this year, telling the Daily Echo: “When Jack works on his defensive duels and is aggressive there, and nasty, then he is a very good centre-back.
“He is like a leader at the back at the moment, he has really fought for his position and doesn’t want to give it away so easily.
“I think at the moment he shows how important he can be for this club and this is what I need, a guy who is good on the ball but also wins his duels.
“This was sometimes the problems with Jack, that he is a little bit too nice, too calm and a little bit too less aggressive, now when he is defending forward he is strong and this is what I demand of the player, and what he needs to do consistently.”
This shows how highly Hasenhuttl rates Stephens, when he is at the top of his game, which is why losing him to a long-term injury, would be a cause for concern for Southampton supporters.
They will now be waiting impatiently for a positive update on his situation ahead of the clash with Wolves next weekend.
AND in other news, Semmens must ruthlessly axe £72k-p/w Saints dud to land £12m beast, Ralph needs him...