Southampton striker Ings out for up to six weeks

Southampton striker Danny Ings has been ruled out for between four and six weeks with a knee injury, manager Ralph Hasenhuettl said on Wednesday.

Ings sustained the injury in Saints' 4-3 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, where he scored his fifth league goal of the season but was substituted just before full-time after a collision with midfielder Trezeguet.

“At the moment it looks like he is out for four to six weeks,” Hasenhuettl told a news conference before Friday's home game against Newcastle United.

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“He'll have a small surgery tomorrow morning. It could be worse, but he'll be out and it's not good news for us.

“We are more than Danny Ings. It's a big loss but it's important now for other players to give us alternatives. Nobody has to play like Danny Ings, every player should play his best possible game,” he added.

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The injury also rules the 28-year-old out of England's upcoming friendly international against Ireland on November 12, and the Nations League matches against Belgium (November 15) and Iceland (November 18).

Hasenhuettl added that his team could also be without Ryan Bertrand (hamstring), Jan Bednarek (concussion) and Ibrahima Diallo (dead leg), who were all injured in the Villa game.

“The last game was a tough one. Also sometimes beyond the edge... A few brutal tackles that were tough to get a handle on,” Hasenhuettl said. “We have payed a high price for that. It causes me a real headache to be honest.

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“Jan Bednarek may train today, it was a horrible crash on the ground. Ryan Bertrand is likely to be out for the weekend. Diallo has a dead leg from a hard kick.”

Saints are currently fifth in the standings, with 13 points from seven games, while Newcastle is two points further behind, in 11th place.