Martin: Stephens "accepting" of FA decision
Southampton manager Russell Martin has said they've "drawn a line in the sand" after an FA hearing has banned his captain Jack Stephens for a further two matches.
The defender was given a straight red card for a challenge during the defeat at home to Manchester United in mid-September and has since missed the customary three matches.
As a result of the hearing Stephens will miss Saturday's trip to the Emirates as well as the home clash with Leicester City following the international break.
On the decision Martin said: "They’ve drawn a line in the sand, the Premier League and the FA, we have to an accept it, it is what it is.
"Jack is really accepting that he’s made a mistake and he requested an in-person hearing so he could apologise. He will be back when he’s back."
Finally, the manager provided a largely positive update on the fitness of his squad following Monday night's trip to Bournemouth.
"Will Smallbone is not quite back fit yet, Kamaldeen the same. Hopefully after the International break we’ll have Will back, and hopefully Kamaldeen too. Other than that it’s pretty much as is.
"Paul [Onuachu] was back on the bench and he deserves that for the way he's trained, the hunger he's trained with. I think that shows that if you're out [of the squad] you're not out for long.
"I think there’s a balance of talent and character. I have no doubt we’ll get through this together and when we do it’ll be brilliant. We haven’t found the flow consistently but when we have we’ve surprised some people. It’s a process and we’re evolving all the time."
