Southampton could be without as many as four players ahead of their visit to Stamford Bridge this weekend. Chelsea are set to welcome the Saints to west London on Saturday, February 18, as Graham Potter looks to return to winning ways.
The Blues are winless in four games across all competitions, with the only victory of 2023 coming against Crystal Palace last month. While Chelsea have struggled to pick up points of late, performances are slowly beginning to improve.
Potter's side currently sit 10th in the Premier League and are four points adrift of fourth-placed Newcastle United. Southampton, on the other hand, sit bottom of the table as they fight survival without a manager.
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Nathan Jones was sacked earlier this week and assistant coach Ruben Selles has taken the reins at St Mary's Stadium. Speaking to the press ahead of the Saints fixture, Potter explained the unique challenge of facing a club without a permanent manager.
"You're not sure at all how they're going to go," the Chelsea boss said. "Anything can come at you pretty much because they're a caretaker manager and they've had a week to prepare and prepare some ideas.
"What has happened before is no reference, that is the challenge. For us, we have to focus on ourselves, what we do well and then prepare and make sure we're ready for the challenge. There's a big challenge coming our way."
Not only are Southampton with a manager but they could also be without four key players. So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look who the Saints might miss against the Blues.
Juan Larios
Speaking to the press ahead of Southampton's clash with Chelsea, Selles said: "We have the injury of Juan Larios and then of Tino Livramento.
"These are long term injuries. A couple of boys that didn’t train at the beginning of the week but have trained at the end."
Tino Livramento
Livramento sustained a serious knee injury in April after landing awkwardly in Southampton's 2-2 draw with Brighton. A scan later revealed that the former Chelsea defender required surgery on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. The 20-year-old continues to nurse the injury.
Che Adams
Selles confirmed that Adams is a doubt against Chelsea. The Scotland international has locked horns with the Blues on seven occasions in his career, directly contributing towards four goals.
"Che Adams is a doubt for tomorrow but that’s it," he said. "We have a large squad to pick from and we will be ready to go with everything."
Kyle Walker-Peters
Walker-Peters was forced off in the first-half of Southampton's Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle at St. James' Park at the end of January with a hamstring injury. The defender is yet to make his return after he continues his recovery.
He previously missed four matches across October and November with a similar injury. He would have likely missed more had the World Cup not put the Premier League on hold until mid-December.
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