RALPH Hasenhuttl is hopeful Kyle Walker-Peters can "lift our game" when he makes his return from injury.

Having arrived from Tottenham on a permanent deal over the summer, Walker-Peters played a key role in Saints' impressive first-half of the season.

However, after suffering two separate leg muscle injuries, the right-back has featured just three times since mid-January, most recently a 2-1 home loss to Wolves last month.

Without a recognised senior right-back as cover following the departure of Yan Valery, centre-back Jan Bednarek has been forced to fill in in Walker-Peters's absence.

But the 23-year-old is now back in training and could make a timely return for tomorrow's clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Asked how much Walker-Peters's imminent return changes the way Saints can attack their upcoming fixtures, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "We miss him when he is not playing.

"He was an important player in our best time of the season. And yes, we hope when he is coming back that he can lift our game.

"But it is still not 100 per cent sure if he can play on the weekend. So let’s have a look."