DANNY Ings's lack of goals in recent weeks is hurting Saints, admitted boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The England striker again drew a blank last night during a 1-0 defeat at Everton.

That result was Saints' eighth defeat from their past nine league fixtures, a run which has seen them net just five goals.

Ings has scored one of those five, in defeat to Wolves, while Takumi Minamino (2), Stuart Armstrong and James Ward-Prowse have also been on target.

The striker does remain Saints' top scorer this season, despite a spell out through injury, bagging nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions.

"Ingsy is a little bit short of freshness it seems and cannot score at the moment and we miss his goals, definitely," said Hasenhuttl.

"He is the guy normally who gives us the lead."

He added: "When you don’t score and you concede one goal, then you lose games and this is the run we are in at the moment.

"We have to do everything to stop it."

Saints face a crunch clash at Sheffield United on Saturday (3pm).