RALPH Hasenhuttl confirmed minor injuries ruled out both James Ward-Prowse and Stuart Armstrong from Tuesday night’s win over Cardiff, insisting: “We don’t take any risk.” Saints stepped up their pre-season preparations with a 4-0 thrashing of the Bluebirds, thanks to a Che Adams brace, after goals from Theo Walcott and Moussa Djenepo. But they were without two of last season’s standout performers. Captain Ward-Prowse was present at Cardiff City Stadium to watch the side, but neither he nor Armstrong featured. Quizzed on the pair’s absence and whether they could return for Saturday’s trip to Swansea,
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “We must have a look. With Prowsey we have to be patient because I don’t want to risk anything with the knee, if we do not need to. He can play immediately when he is fit. And it is also good for Ibra (Diallo), because he can get a little bit more game time. (On Tuesday) I think he showed some very good things. The season is long. We have massive games coming up and we must prepare as good as possible.”
With both Ward-Prowse and Armstrong missing, and Will Smallbone still recovering from long-term injury, Diallo and Oriol Romeu played the full 90 minutes at Cardiff, with only teenager Ryan Finnigan on the bench as backup.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “Prowsey has a little bit problems with the knee,” confirmed Hasenhuttl in a later interview. We don’t take any risk, give him time to recover and Stuey the same. Maybe he (Armstrong) will be back tomorrow (Wednesday) on the pitch and then we can look for Saturday if they are available.”
