Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is set to face an extended period on the sidelines, with expectations that he won't return until the new year.
The 23-year-old sustained a hamstring injury during Southampton's midweek clash against Bristol City at St. Mary's, forcing his substitution after just 34 minutes of play.
Southampton's Head Coach, Russell Martin, confirmed in a press conference on Friday that both Kamaldeen Sulemana and summer signing Ross Stewart would be unavailable until next year.
Both be out for quite a while," said the manager. "It's really disappointing for different reasons. Ross has worked so hard to get fit and he lands in a real compromising position late in the Huddersfield game.
"We won’t expect him this side of Christmas, more likely mid-to-late January. He’s seeing a specialist. We’re really heartbroken for Ross. It’s not the same injury. I feel like we haven’t rushed him, everyone’s been in agreement with the plan. It's really unfortunate and we're really disappointed.
Expressing disappointment, Martin highlighted the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Stewart's injury, projecting a return in mid-to-late January after consulting with a specialist.
Regarding Kamaldeen's hamstring issue, Martin indicated a similar timeline for his recovery. Despite the setback, the coach emphasized the opportunity for others to step up in their absence.
"Kamaldeen felt his hamstring on Wednesday night, he’ll have a similar timeline to Ross. Two big losses but when someone gets injured it’s an opportunity for someone else. They’ll get everyone’s best care and attention.
"We’ve been really clear about January, what we need and what we want. We didn’t envisage those two getting injured, so it might change the plan a little bit. It depends on their progress and the results between now and then. People will have the chance to step up now to take the opportunities. Everyone else has to be ready," he added.
The injuries may impact Southampton's January plans, and Martin urged the team to be ready for the challenges ahead.
Since joining from Stade Rennais, Kamaldeen Sulemana has made 13 appearances for Southampton, contributing three assists.
