Southampton boss Raplh Hasenhuttl has given a disappointing injury update on the fitness of striker Danny Ings, saying the striker could be out until at least the end of the month.
The forward picked up a muscle injury in the recent 2-0 win against Sheffield United, being withdrawn after just 13 minutes after kick-off.
Now, having had the problem assessed, the England striker is set to be out for at least three weeks as confirmed by Hasenhuttl.
Speeaking ahead of his side’s clash with Manchester City on Wednesday, the Austrian said: “I think it is a serious one but not too serious.
“I think three weeks. I expect him to be back after the international break.”
With the knock being the latest problem to disrupt Ings’ season having previously suffered a knee injury, as well as having to self isolate due to COVID-19 protocols, Hasenhuttl implied that the forward was getting frustrated by the stop-start theme of the campaign.
He continued: “Yes a little bit too much but what can we do?
“We must in the next season have a better pre-season hopefully to avoid this situation we have been in this season.”
Ings is Southampton’s top scorer this season with nine goals but will now miss matches against Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion, as well as the FA Cup quarter-final meeting with Bournemouth.
In his absence, Che Adams is the favourite to open the scoring against City and can be backed at odds of 16/1 with William Hill.
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