PREM: Southampton v Leicester preview

Southampton v Leicester preview

Mohamed Elyounoussi is in line to return for Southampton when they host Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday.

The summer signing missed last weekend's trip to Everton through injury after coming on as a 56th-minute substitute in the opening weekend draw with Burnley.

Manager Mark Hughes confirmed that there are more assessments to be made but Elyounoussi is expected to be in the squad.

"Elyounoussi has trained today, so we're hopeful he could be an option for us at the weekend. Obviously, he needs to have a good day tomorrow in terms of no reaction from the work he's done today. We don't anticipate he will have any problem," he said.

"Leicester are probably the club that gain more points on the road than most. They're a very accomplished counter-attacking team and it's very difficult to go up against them. You want to be on the front foot, but you've always got to be mindful of the threat they have on the break."

The Foxes will be without star striker Jamie Vardy as he begins a three-match ban following a straight red card for a tackle on Wolves defender Matt Doherty last weekend.

Manager Claude Puel said: "Jamie is a valuable player for us. We know his importance to the team but we have to move on and to make a good confidence in other players.

"It is a good opportunity for other players to show their attributes, like Iheanacho, Gray and perhaps Okazaki if he can come back with a good fitness. The most important thing is to have options and have a lot of players available to continue the work."

Elyounoussi, fellow summer recruit Jannik Vestergaard will also come back into the squad after he also missed the Everton game after picking up an illness.

Shinji Okazaki could return for Leicester, but Matty James and recent signing Caglar Soyuncu will not feature, with the latter continuing his rehabilitation from a pre-existing injury.