Southampton could receive major injury boost ahead of Liverpool clash
Aaron Ramsdale has been sidelined with a finger injury
Southampton interim manager Simon Rusk could receive a significant injury boost as the club shifts focus to their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool, following the sacking of Russell Martin on Sunday night.
Injured goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who has been sidelined with a finger injury, served as a pundit for TNT Sports during Southampton’s disastrous 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
The loss marked the team’s 13th defeat in 16 Premier League matches, ultimately leading to Martin’s dismissal.
Ramsdale, who has missed the last five matches, is hopeful of returning to action in Wednesday’s cup tie against Liverpool and is also targeting a return for Sunday’s trip to Fulham.
“The finger is getting more bendy, it’s getting there. It was too soon for this game. I’m looking forward to (this) week. We have two games that I’m hoping to be involved in,” Ramsdale said before Martin’s sacking.
“It was a tough one to watch. It must have been a lot harder to play.
“After the work you put in, to go behind that quickly and be 5-0 down at half-time, I can’t imagine the feeling playing that second half.”
“We have to just forgot about it really quickly, which is easier said than done.
“I am sure it will be a real tough one for the boys, but we’ve got to go again.
“We’ve got a big game and one we can try to get into the semi-final of the cup on Wednesday.”
Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale watched from the sidelines as Southampton conceded just 36 seconds into their 5-0 defeat against Tottenham.
By the 14th minute, the Saints were already 3-0 down, and they shipped two more goals before half-time.
Home fans turned on Russell Martin during the dismal first half, with chants demanding the 38-year-old’s departure.
Martin, under mounting pressure, left the touchline for the dressing room with a minute of stoppage time still to play, missing Tottenham’s final goal of the half.
The humiliating loss leaves Southampton rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table on just five points.
However, the immediate focus for interim boss Simon Rusk, who only arrived at St Mary’s as Under-21s manager in July, is the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.
Rusk began his coaching career in 2015 at Brighton’s academy, leading the under-23s, before a brief nine-month spell in charge of Stockport County three years ago.
He then took on a role with the Football Association, managing England’s Under-19s, before spending the latter half of last season as Nottingham Forest’s specialist set-piece coach.
His move to Southampton came during the summer.
With minimal time to prepare before Liverpool’s midweek visit, Rusk faces a significant challenge.
However, he will be counting on a squad eager to respond after Sunday’s crushing 5-0 defeat.
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