Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that Cedric Soares will not be fit to face Chelsea on Sunday.
The Portuguese full-back was due to start the game against Tottenham last weekend, but had to be withdrawn after picking up an injury in the warm-up, with Jannik Vestergaard replacing him in the starting line-up.
But Hasenhuttl has today (Friday) confirmed that Cedric will also miss the game against Frank Lampard's Chelsea side, with the 28-year-old still suffering with a calf injury.
“No, for sure not," the Austrian said, when asked if Cedric would be available for the game.
“He really tried to play against Tottenham and it was really maybe not the best idea, but he really wanted to help the team, and it was a chance to come back into the national team with Portugal.
“He really tried to do it, but after a few minutes of the warm up, the problem he had was too big and I think it will take until maybe the Wolverhampton game [after the international break], but at the moment it is not possible for him to play."
Southampton are also set to still be without winger Moussa Djenepo, who has missed the last few games with a thigh injury, while goalkeeper Alex McCarthy remains a doubt after missing the Tottenham game with a muscle injury.
But Hasenhuttl hinted that striker Che Adams could return to the matchday squad, after not being involved against Spurs.
"He had played every game until the last game, and 90 minutes against Portsmouth," he said.
"It was clear that I wanted to give him, one time, a rest, and a break can help when you are always looking to try and score, sometimes you can get a little bit cramped.
"He showed this week he is in a better condition and clearer in the mind, and he can be an option for Sunday."
