Ralph Hasenhüttl has confirmed that Stuart Armstrong has returned to first team training ahead of Southampton’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
Yet to feature this season, the midfielder will be looking to return to action in the near future for Saints as he recovers from a calf injury.
“The good thing is since this week he is training with the team,” admitted the boss. “We will have a look how he is, if he’s part of the squad on the weekend and we can decide what we want to do.
“He was 42 days out now so a long time. I think it’s not the best to step into the international team but I think they have two important games and you see how important a player he is for them.”
Aside from Armstrong, Jack Stephens is the only other injury concern for Hasenhüttl who is positive about the number of alternatives he has heading into Saturday’s meeting.
“Jack Stephens is still out. There are one or two players who are struggling a little bit, but everybody is on the pitch, it’s only Jack that isn’t here.
“I must say that I have a lot of alternatives at the moment.”
The only other absentee on Saturday will be Armando Broja, who is unable to feature against his parent club: “We have two games against them [Chelsea]. One in the cup and one in the league. I think for both he’s not allowed to play and this is a pity.”
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