Manuel Pellegrini will give Mrko Arnautovic as long as possible to prove his fitness for the game game at St Mary’s on Thursday along with Chicharito who felt a hamstring before being subbed against Watford.
The manager looks certain to be without Fabian Balbuena but with Angelo Ogbonna stepping in well that looks less of a problem.
His other decision will be at right back having made it clear that Pablo Zabaletta won’t be able to play every game in December despite having missed only one so far.
Michail Antonio looks the natural replacement should he decide to give the veteran Argentine defender a rest from first team duty.
Arnautovic will feature either in this game or the next at Burnley according to our sources but is unable to make both whilst Chicharito’s injury is being carefully monitored right up to midday on Thursday.
With the uncertainty surrounding the front positions Under 23 striker Xande Silva is expected to keep his place in the squad with a senior source telling us by text: “His chance is getting close.
Saints are experiencing the usual manager bounce under Ralph Hasenhüttl and look set to name an unchanged side.