Saints are hopeful that injuries to Gaston Ramirez and Dejan Lovren are not as bad as first feared.

The pair were both stretchered off in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw at Sunderland with ankle injuries sustained within seconds of each other.

Mauricio Pochettino confirmed after the game that he expected them both to go to hospital, but it was later decided that Lovren, who was injured trying to challenge Steven Fletcher for the ball, did not require it and instead left the ground wearing a protective boot.

Ramirez, injured by the follow through of a Wes Brown tackle, did travel to hospital for an x-ray but was given the all clear to fly home with his teammates.

Saints’ medical staff cannot give a complete assessment on either player until the swelling has gone down.

However, it seems Lovren’s injury is quite likely to prove to be ankle ligament damage.

Initial indications are that the damage to Ramirez is not as grim as the images which circulated after the challenge suggested it might be.

There is suspicion that he has ankle ligament damage and a potential hairline fracture rather than a nasty break.

Saints are known to have one of the best medical teams in top flight football and will give their players the top care and recovery programmes.