Ronald Koeman will see the depth of his squad tested as he prepares to take on West Ham United with a few injury concerns.

Saints will be without a few key players in the squad as the take on West Ham at St Mary's this evening.

Apart from long term casualty Jay Rodriguez several other players have picked up knocks.

Matt Targett has hurt an ankle in training and although Ronald Koeman has confirmed it is not serious, it will keep the young left sided player out of the squad for the visit of the Hammers, a shame because he had come into the side and been a vital part of its resurgence in recent weeks.

Saints will have Charlie Austin available for a home debut in the game against West Ham after he recovered from the knock that kept him out of the goalless draw at Arsenal.

Matt Targett is unavailable while Steven Davis is touch and go after his hamstring problem.

Koeman reported: “Matthew Targett is not fit. He got an ankle injury in the training sessions. It’s not a big issue but he’s not available.

Steven Davis also looks set to miss out again after missing the last two games with what has now been revealed as a ham string injury although Koeman confirmed that he is on the mend and that perhaps this game has come a few days too soon for him after resuming full training again.

“ Steven Davis had the last two days good training sessions, but is doubtful. About Steven when I have a talk to the player and the medical staff we will take that final decision.”

However the Dutchman is looking forward to the following weeks when he may finally have a full squad to pick from for the first time since his arrival at the Club in 2014, since then there has always been someone out long term injured with firstly Jay Rodriguez and then Fraser Forster along with assorted shorter term wounded, but that could change in the coming weeks.

“If Davis is coming back, Charlie is coming back, Pelle is back, maybe in two or three weeks maybe Jay Rodriguez will come back, that’s a lot of competition for them.

“Finally, as the manager, you choose for the best options to start and it’s up to the players.”

It is testament though to the way that Koeman has grown his squad this season that we can take these injuries in our stride, Koeman faces going into this game tonight with the possibility that he will have at least three missing in Davis, Targett & Rodriguez, but he has a squad big enough to cope as was shown at Manchester United when he won without two of that trio and in the draw at Arsenal when only Targett played and then only late off the bench.

The way Koeman has built the squad should not be underestimated and although some would argue that bringing in the likes of Martina is blocking youngsters coming through, Koeman knows he has to have a squad big enough and experienced enough to cope with what is required and then he has shown as with the emergence of Matt Targett as a serious first team contender in the last few weeks, that he will play a youngster when the time is right.

Photo: Action Images

warrens76 added 10:14 - Feb 6 Today's rsult will confirm whether our resurgence is a flash in the pan or serious, take maximum points today and confidence will take us through to seasons end.
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SaintNick added 10:28 - Feb 6 Just have a nagging feeling that it will be a draw based on nothing more than we are unbeaten in four and that has to end sometime and that it has been tied the last three times at sms
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StuSaint added 10:48 - Feb 6 Umm seem to have forgotten Gardos re full squad returning from Injury or is he also nearing fitness ?
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SaintNick added 11:17 - Feb 6 Yep your right I have forgotten Gardos, be interesting to see what happens when he comes back as Koeman didnt play him at all in final three months of season
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