Southampton have been handed a fitness boost ahead of their opening game of the season against Everton this weekend.
Doubts had emerged around the availability of captain James Ward-Prowse ahead of Saturday's trip to Goodison Park.
The 26-year-old has been struggling with a knee injury that kept him out of Southampton's pre-season fixtures against Cardiff City, Swansea City, Levante and Athletic Bilbao.
But speaking on Thursday afternoon, Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that Ward-Prowse is likely to return to his side’s starting line-up for the game against Rafa Benitez's side.
He said: “He’s going to be OK. He trained the whole week and I’m looking forward to having him back on Saturday.”
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Hasenhuttl then continued: “Will (Smallbone) is still recovering and so far not with the team, hopefully he’ll also come back in the future but it’ll take a little bit more time.
“Everybody else is fit. After a tough and hard pre-season this is a good signal. We worked good with them, we had a good balance of pushing them hard and also recovering in the right moment.”
While new signing Adam Armstrong has also claimed that he is fit and ready for action this weekend.
Armstrong joined the club from Blackburn Rovers for £15million on Tuesday and trained with his new teammates for the first time on Wednesday.
"I am fit and ready,” he said. "I know there was plenty of speculation going on during the summer but I played a few pre-season games and I needed those minutes under my belt.
"I am feeling fit and ready. I've looked at the fixtures. A few of them stand out. Newcastle away is pretty soon, so that will be a good one.
"Every game is going to be brilliant. No disrespect to the Championship, but the teams there compared to your Manchester City and Manchester United. It's unbelievable and I can't wait to get started.
"As a kid that's what you want. That's all I have wanted since I was little, to be playing in big games. I hope I can entertain the fans and put on a good show."
