Will Smallbone sustained knee injury in Southampton loss at Leicester | OneFootball

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has confirmed that Will Smallbone is the latest player to join the club’s long injury list.

Smallbone started in the 2-0 defeat to Leicester on Saturday, but had to be replaced in midfield by Dan N’Lundulu just after the hour mark at the King Power Stadium.

It was a bitter blow for the Republic of Ireland U-21 international, who was making his first league appearance in five months.

“Will is not looking good. [It’s] his knee – and now a lot of games are coming,” Hasenhüttl said, per the Irish Independent.

“Will was good. He was fighting and had a few good moments, we had a few chances in the first half also. I like him more in the 10 position than the six position,” the Saints boss added.

“He had some good solutions, he also had some good chances – one good chance to score. He’s a good footballer and learns to work against the ball also.

“Also, he was fighting very hard. It was a step forward in his development, definitely.”

Southampton are back in action on Tuesday when they host Shrewsbury Town in a rescheduled FA Cup third round tie.