Shane Long’s expletive reaction summed up the severity of Southampton teammate James Ward-Prowse’s right leg injury.
“F*** me, you can see his f****** bone,” remarked the Irishman after Ryan Sessegnon’s challenge.
The agony was too much for Ward-Prowse, who grabbed at Danny Ings while being treated.
The deep gash, combined with ligament damage, could see Ward-Prowse out long-term.
“The worst thing that could happen is (James Ward-Prowse) is injured,” Ralph Hasenhuttl told BT Sport.
“It is good it is only a cut, but this was what I was worried about the most. I can hope he’s not that long injured.”
Saints lost Ward-Prowse with the score in the FA Cup fourth round replay tied at 1-1.
The 25-year-old was quickly given treatment and taken off despite the close proximity to half-time.
Jannik Vestergaard replaced the midfielder, with Spurs eventually prevailing 3-2 thanks to a late strike from Son Heung-min, with Jose Mourinho’s side set to face Norwich in the last 16.
The England international has been a key part of Saints’ revival, surging away from the relegation zone, scoring four times and assisting two more this term.
Ward-Prowse looked primed to push for a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020, but his involvement this summer will now be in jeopardy.
