Saints’ injury crisis shows few signs of easing as they head north to face Alan Pardew’s in-form Newcastle tomorrow.

Only Morgan Schneiderlin is in line for a return to the squad for the match at St James’ Park, but even he is not fit enough to play a full 90 minutes.

Artur Boruc, Kelvin Davis, Nathaniel Clyne, Danny Fox, Victor Wanyama and Guly do Prado remain sidelined, though Saints showed few ill effects of a stretched squad last weekend as they played superbly to bag a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

“The only option that we are analysing still that may be on the list for Saturday's game is Morgan Schneiderlin,” reported Pochettino.

"If he were to be on the list, he wouldn't be physically fit to play the full 90 minutes.

"We will make the final evaluation to see if he is able to play a few minutes on Saturday or if it is better that he stays here and keeps on training.”

Saints face a tough task against Newcastle, who have climbed above them in the Premier League table having beaten Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.

“Newcastle are a team that in the last weeks have been playing really well,” reckoned Pochettino.

"They are a very physical side, very strong, very aggressive. They will be very tough to beat and we're very much aware of what we're up against."

Despite losing three league games in a row Saints stuck to their principles and got back on track with their draw against City.

"To end that run of bad results psychologically it was very important for the team,” said Pochettino.

"Overall, I think we have been consistent because we have been playing well, but we weren't getting the results we deserved.

"Looking back on the City game, I think we even deserved more. We deserved to get the win from that game.

"Looking ahead to the weekend, we have trained well and we're fully focused and prepared for the game ahead."

Much of the focus has been on Dani Osvaldo after his fantastic goal against City, and because he could lead the line for Italy against England in the World Cup after the nations were paired together in the group stages of the tournament.

“We believe that he still has a big margin to improve, he has a lot to go still.

"Right now, he is in the process of growing and adapting to this league.

"The goal that he scored, I think he needs to understand that puts him on the right path but he stills has to learn, still has to improve, still has to mature and still has to keep on working to be able to deliver that kind of goal every week."