#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl reveals Lyanco injury comeback timeline and his overall game development #SAINTSFC

RALPH Hasenhuttl insists that he is sure Lyanco will “come back even stronger” after the defender has impressed the boss with strides already made since arriving at St Mary’s. The 25-year-old Brazilian looks set to spend between eight and 12 weeks on the sidelines following the “very serious” hamstring tendon injury that he picked up in the FA Cup clash with Coventry City. The concern is of the same nature that kept fellow centre-back Jack Stephens out between mid-September and mid-December, after he sustained that during the 0-0 draw at Manchester City. In an absolute worst-case scenario, it could keep him out until Saints near the end of their Premier League season. Lyanco was pictured on crutches after the FA Cup clash last weekend (Pic: Stuart Martin) It’s a big blow for the popular summer arrival, who has battled from a shaky start at Sheffield United in the EFL Cup and waiting to the end of November for a Premier League start to appearing in 11 consecutive league matches for Saints when available. He only missed out in the West Ham and Spurs festive fixtures due to a positive COVID test. Speaking on Lyanco’s injury, Hasenhuttl clarified: “(12 weeks is) the biggest range, like Jack Stephens I think he needed eight weeks to be then back fully fit. Jack Stephens' injury at Etihad Stadium (Pic: PA) “I’m always a positive thinking manager.” At this stage of his English career, every game would have been one of rich development for Lyanco. Even if he was back by just eight weeks in the best case, the former Torino man would still have missed nine fixtures including the FA Cup fifth round versus West Ham. “For me it was very, very nice to see how much he developed his game since he was here,” Hasenhuttl continued. “When he was coming here, especially with the ball he had some deficits but he is getting better and better. More calm, more composed. “We want to play football in some moments, we need to have centre-backs that find the red zone and are calm in possession and this is what he has learned, very quickly I must say, made big steps forward.” Over a month after his debut at Bramall Lane, Lyanco impressed supporters with a much more composed performance during the 1-1 draw at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge in the next cup round. Lyanco was booked on his debut at Sheffield United (Pic: PA) It was that weekend where he was given his Premier League debut as a late substitute at Watford, and he has since appeared in every league match he has been available for. The Austrian continued: “He is physically a very good guy and the injury he got now was a very, very strange situation where he was pulled back and he couldn’t handle it so it was a bad step he made and was the reason why he got such a bad hamstring injury. His first FA Cup appearance ended with disappointment (Pic: PA) “But now I love his character, I love his way, how he behaves in the team. Everyone loves him in the club and this is the type of character and player that fits perfectly to us. “I’m very happy from the development I have seen so far and I’m sure he will come back even stronger.” Another factor that makes the loss a blow for Hasenhuttl is that Lyanco is adept in five-at-the-back defensive shapes as well as traditional fours, which the Austrian has this year liked to experiment with. His injury leaves Saints with three recognised senior centre-backs in Stephens, Mohammed Salisu, Jan Bednarek. Lyanco out on crutches but smiling. #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/90eiZV4pnG — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) February 5, 2022 Yan Valery has also been operating as a central-defender and it looks certain that he will now play the role of one of the four required centre-backs in Hasenhuttl’s squad. Youngster Dynel Simeu, who was in the matchday squad for Saints’ first-team while they were short on numbers over the festive period and January, is now out on loan at Carlisle United for the remainder of the campaign.