RALPH Hasenhuttl has given an injury update on his squad ahead of the West Ham clash at St Mary’s this weekend and admits: “Stuart is going to take a little bit more time. We also have Theo Walcott out, but it's a small issue."
David Moyes’ high-flying Hammers travel to Southampton with a big record against Saints, winning six of the last seven meetings and not losing once.
Stuart Armstrong hasn’t featured in the Premier League this season after he was sidelined with a minor calf injury before the Manchester United contest, and won’t feature again at the weekend while he still nurses it.
After initially being called up to the Scotland squad for the recent international break, the same injury kept him out and Armstrong withdrew.
Theo Walcott, 32, has also been ruled out of the fixture by the Austrian manager, after the former England international had started the first two games of the season but was an unused substitute at Newcastle.
He was hooked at half-time of the Manchester United draw with the boss wanting to change shape and go with a five-at-the-back whilst still in the ascendancy.
Hasenhuttl said: "Stuart (Armstrong) is still going to take a little bit more time with his calf muscle. He will take some time.
"We also have Theo (Walcott) out. He has a small issue at the moment but not a big issue."
The reduced numbers breeds further opportunity for the likes of in-form Moi Elyounoussi and Moussa Djenepo, who started at the Toon, as well as a potential chance for young starlet Nathan Tella – who has waited patiently this season.
Elsewhere, there were more positive updates from the Saints treatment room.
Will Smallbone, who has been out since suffering an ACL injury back in January, is nearing a return to fitness, while Hasenhuttl confirmed his continued involvement in light training and expected him to be more involved as of yesterday.
Republic of Ireland youth international Smallbone, 21, was beginning to make a big impact on the depleted first-team before the injury at Leicester City cut short his progress.
But Hasenhuttl has revealed: “Will (Smallbone) is now on the very edge of coming back into training. He is still a no but I think that for the first time since the injury he will join us (in training today.
"We have not forced any duels with him. We have not forced any uncontrolled movements. We have tried to give him time and it is looking like he is now close to returning.”
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