SAINTS boss Ronald Koeman will be handed a double boost for Sunday’s game against Swansea with both Maya Yoshida and Sadio Mane in contention to return.

The pair have been away on international duty, but suffered early exits from the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively.

Yoshida, whose last game was the 2-0 win against Arsenal on New Year’s Day, returned to training on Tuesday and could go straight back into the starting line-up this weekend, alongside Jose Fonte at the heart of defence.

The defender had been expected to miss this weekend due to the Asian Cup, but Japan’s shock quarter-final loss to United Arab Emirates last Friday meant he returned from Australia far sooner than anticipated.

With Florin Gardos having struggled in the 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace last Saturday – a match in which he was taken off at half-time – Yoshida could well be Koeman’s preferred choice to fill-in for the sidelined Toby Alderweireld, who could himself return from a hamstring injury for the trip to QPR on February 7.

Mane suffered Africa Cup of Nations heartbreak when Senegal lost 2-0 against Algeria on Tuesday night, dumping them out before the knockout rounds.

Senegal had gone into their final group match holding onto top spot, but defeat meant they tumbled down to third place.

Mane is now likely to be back at Staplewood by the end of the week, meaning he could play some part at St Mary’s on Sunday, although his fitness will need to be assessed.

The timing of his return is great news for Saints, given that Shane Long is set to miss at least a month after he suffered fractured ribs against Palace.

Mane’s availability should also reduce any need to dip into the transfer market for another forward player before the window closes on Monday.

The winger was initially expected to miss the Africa Cup of Nations, after suffering a calf injury in the New Year’s Day win against Arsenal.

However, he recovered quicker than anticipated, and featured in Senegal’s final two group matches – playing 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with South Africa, and 65 minutes of the loss to Algeria.

Saints will now be hoping that Mane makes the 3,500-mile journey from Equatorial Guinea to England as soon as possible.

The 22-year-old was a hugely influential presence over the Christmas period, scoring in Premier League wins over Palace and Arsenal, as well as the 1-1 home draw with Chelsea.

Had Senegal gone all the way in the tournament, Mane would likely not have been available for Saints until their home game against Liverpool on February 22.

Saints’ opponents this weekend, Swansea, have not been so fortunate with players returning from international action.

Midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung will be absent this weekend, having reached the Asian Cup final with South Korea.

And their one representative at the Africa Cup of Nations, top-scorer Wilfried Bony, was sold to Manchester City during the tournament.