Claude Puel says that Charlie Austin needs shoulder surgery and will be out for between three and four months. The Southampton striker suffered the injury during last Thursday’s Europa League tie at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
The confirmation that Austin faces a lengthy lay-off is a bitter blow. The shoulder is the same one that he dislocated three times in 14 months at Burnley. It has been operated on twice previously.
Puel said it was now essential his other forwards stepped up. “It’s difficult to play without Charlie because he scores a lot of goals for us but it’s important to look forward with other players – for example, Jay Rodriguez. He played very well against Middlesbrough, with intensity and quality. He deserved a goal.
“We can also see Shane Long and Nathan Redmond, who played a very good second-half. It’s important that the other players take the place of Charlie. It’s a strong disappointment, of course, for Charlie.”
