Ryan Bertrand Sidelined Due To Knee Injury
Southampton are set to take on Manchester United this Friday, but they will be without full-back Ryan Bertrand, who is out with a knee injury.
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Ryan Bertrand, 27, sustained a knee injury during the Euro 2016 which took place earlier this year. The injury saw him sidelined for the first game of the season, a 1-1 draw against Watford.
Southampton manager, Claude Puel, confirmed that Bertrand will also miss this Friday’s match against Manchester United, as the England defender is still nursing his way to recovery.
Puel mentioned that the injury isn’t a major worry, but he will refrain from playing the full-back in order to speed up the healing process.
The manager spoke with Southampton’s YouTube Channel, saying: “Ryan will be injured. He cannot make training sessions this week and for the moment it’s important to resolve his problem. It is not a big injury, but it’s not possible to see him on the pitch.”
Bertrand will be the only omission from Puel’s squad this Friday. Southampton’s skipper Jose Fonte is also in contention to start the match, after he was an unused substitute during Southampton’s opening day draw.
Jose Fonte arrived in England late due to his extended break, following his nation’s triumph in the Euro 2016. Claude spoke about the skipper during his interview, mentioning that he is pleased with his effort in training.
“José has made good training sessions and we will see for Manchester if he can keep his place or not,” the gaffer stated.
“José, the same as [Maya] Yoshida or [Virgil] van Dijk, make good training and it is interesting for the team to have good players for this position.”
Jose Mourinho will also have many options going into Match Day 2. The Special One will be contemplating on whether to start his world-record signing, Paul Pogba.
Mourinho mentioned during his pre-match press conference that he will be able to give Pogba some playing time, but was reluctant to mention as to whether the Frenchman will start the game.
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