The Saints take on Arsenal in the 4th Round of the FA Cup this weekend at home and forward Danny Ings should be fit enough to be named in the starting XI.
The 28-year-old has been on the sidelines ever since he tested COVID positive after the Saints game vs Liverpool earlier this month but Ralph Hasenhuttl has claimed that the prolific goal scorer is in contention to start against Mikel Arteta’s side on Saturday.
“He is important for our game,” said the boss on Ings, as per the club’s official website. “We will try to put him in a position where he can score again and help us.
“It’s important after the injury he had and the Covid that he had [that he is back]. He gives us more options and opportunities up front in the attacking positions.
“Out of the match we still have a lot of players. We’ll take it as serious as possible. At the weekend we have the chance for five subs which is definitely good.
“On Tuesday I rested a few players, giving a few more opportunities for the weekend so the team will look a little bit different.”
The return of Danny Ings will be a big boost for the Saints boss especially since Hasenhuttl has been dealing with a series of injury concerns over the past couple of weeks.
Recently, William Smallbone picked up an ACL injury and will be out for at least six months while players like Vestergaard, Redmond and Djenepo are also on the sidelines.
Amidst such a long injury-list, the return of Danny Ings is sure to strengthen the Saints front line on Saturday and also for the coming weeks when they take on the likes of Man United, Aston Villa and Arsenal once again in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old coming back into the side means Theo Walcott will move back into midfield as Ings partners Che Adams up front.
