Southampton will be without goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and centre-back Jan Bednarek for several weeks, says manager Russell Martin.
Ramsdale was among nine players who withdrew from the England squad last week due to a finger injury. Bednarek was forced to withdraw midway through Poland’s 5-1 loss to Portugal last Friday over concerns over a knee injury.
Bednarek is the only player to have started all 11 of Southampton’s league games this season.
Both players will miss Sunday’s game against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
“They will both be out for this weekend and several weeks,” Martin said.
“They have been two of our best players all season. Of course it will affect the team and their appearance, but others have to step in and take advantage of their opportunity.”
The injuries to Ramsdale and Bednarek come before a tough run of games for the Premier League bottom side.
All six of Saints’ games before Christmas will be against teams currently in the Premier League’s top nine. They will also face Liverpool in the EFL Cup quarter-finals next month.
“Aaron has had surgery on his finger and we’re hoping he’ll be back this side of Christmas,” Martin added.
“Janny B, we talked very quickly after the game. He was really worried about his knee injury.
“Fortunately the injury is not as important as we fear, hopefully [he is back] a week or two before Aaron.”
