Internationals return with a clean bill of health
All 10 of Saints’ internationals have returned to Staplewood Campus at full fitness, with manager Russell Martin also confirming changes will be made to his starting XI to take on Manchester United.
Naming the same outfield players in all three Premier League outings so far, the Saints boss is set to alter his 11 for the visit of the Red Devils.
“I think after three defeats, there inevitably will be changes. How many, you'll have to wait and see and who,” he began.
“It's such a difficult position because I feel fiercely loyal to some players that helped get us to the Premier League, and I've been in that position. I have to balance that loyalty and what they did last season with what some are actually doing now, and the place they're in right now.
Also with the level of talent that's come into the building, they need a bit of time to adapt but we've brought in some really brilliant players. It's about trying to get that right for them to come into the team.
“I think now it's inevitable that changes will be made, and people will have opportunities that they need to take.”
With Kamaldeen Sulemana the only confirmed injury absentee, Martin also revealed deadline day signing Maxwel Cornet will be in the matchday squad.
“Maxwel Cornet's in the squad. Everyone is pretty much fit now apart from Kamaldeen. Kamaldeen is very, very close to being fit.
“We have a big squad and it's going to be a lot of selection headaches to get into the squad, let alone the starting XI.
“We're really happy with the team we're going to put on the pitch. We're really happy with the work they've put in. We're really happy with where the guys are at.
We're really happy with how the players that are not coming out of the team have responded to that and they responded properly by being good team-mates.”
