Saints will have Sadio Mane and Maya Yoshida available for tomorrow’s game against Swansea after both returned to full training.

The duo have been away with Senegal and Japan respectively playing in the Africa Cup of Nations, and Koeman is pleased with their physical state upon their return, meaning they are in contention to figure at St Mary’s.

He said: “They are available for this Sunday.

“Maya was back on Tuesday. Sadio did his first session Friday.

“I was happy. They are not, because Japan and Senegal are normally strong teams to fight to win the title in the Asian Cup and the Africa Cup.

“We had a very small squad in the last few weeks and it is very good news that the players are available for this weekend.”

There is not such good news on Emmanuel Mayuka, who is not returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Zambia until the weekend after sustaining an injury, which Saints are waiting to fully assess.

Koeman does, though, expect Toby Alderweireld, Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama to be available for next weekend’s game at QPR.

Striker Sam Gallagher has returned to training after injury but will build up with the under-21s before a return to the first team squad is contemplated.