Southampton have been handed an injury boost ahead of Newcastle United’s visit to St Mary’s Stadium, with Mario Lemina passed fit.
The central midfielder hobbled off with a minor knee injuryin Saints’ 0-0 draw against Bournemouth on Saturday, prompting concerns that he could be sidelined for the team’s encounter with Newcastle.
However, Hughes has allayed fears that the Gabon international will miss out. As quoted by Southampton’s official website, the Welshman said:
We’re okay, Mario Lemina came off against Bournemouth and was sore early in the week. But we’re pleased as it doesn’t look like he’s sustained any significant damage.
It was jarring of the knee and a bit of hyper-extension. But it looks like he’ll be fit as long as he doesn’t have any reaction to the work we’ve done today. Other than him, we have nobody unavailable.
Lemina has been an important player for Saints this season and Hughes has utilised him on a regular basis in a midfield two, partnering Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
It seems Hughes will have a clean bill of health heading into the fixture against Rafa Benitez’s men, with both sides in need of an important victory.
Newcastle will be hoping to secure their first three points of the season when they travel to Southampton as they bid to work their way out of the relegation zone.
