Cedric back in the fold for Saints’ clash with Bournemouth

Despite picking up four points from their last two Premier League outings, Southampton are in somewhat of a sticky patch ahead of Christmas.

The Saints failed to get past ten man Stoke on Wednesday night, despite having a man advantage for around 70 minutes, whilst there were murmurs of discontent around St.Mary’s Stadium during their 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, having been dumped out of the Europa League just days earlier.

It’s fair to say a win against local rivals Bournemouth could not come quick enough.

With that in mind, the St. Mary’s faithful will be glad to hear the encouraging news that Portugal international and European champions Cedric Soares will be fit for the clash on Sunday, according to local paper the Daily Echo.

The former Sporting Lisbon man has sat out the last two games with Cuco Martina deputising at right-back.

The return of the 25-year-old comes as a big boost to manager Claude Puel, who will now have a more creative option on the wing at the Vitality Stadium, something his side is in desperate need of.