Puel handed quintuple boost ahead of Southampton’s clash with Liverpool

Southampton have been handed several boosts ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to leaders Liverpool.

The Saints, who currently sit tenth in the English top-flight standings following back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and newly promoted Hull City, believe Fraser Forster, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Ryan Bertrand, Cedric and Dusan Tadic could all feature against The Reds this weekend.

Manager Claude Puel said, via the club’s official website, “I don’t know for sure yet because I cannot see all of the players, but we will see in the training session.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

“I think we can recover many players. I think it’s okay for Fraser and Pierre also. They have some injuries in the last week, but they should be fine.

“Ryan is okay and Tadić had an injury to his nose, but he spoke with the medical team already and should be fine for Saturday’s game.”

The 55-year-old added, “Cédric will come back, and Shane Long has come back into the training sessions, but it’s too soon for this game.

“It’s too soon for him for this game, but we will see for next week. Targett is still injury, but for the other players it’s okay.”