Shane Long is out for two to four weeks with the ankle injury he suffered while playing for Republic of Ireland.

Long limped off after 55 minutes of Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifier, a 2-1 defeat against Poland in Warsaw and is out until November.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman said: “The only injury we’ve got [during the international break] is Shane Long’s ankle ligaments.

“We expect he’ll be out for two to four weeks. That’s a disappointment but a part of football.”

Otherwise, Koeman was delighted to see his players enjoy so much success during the international break Koeman was also pleased that Ryan Bertrand, having helped England to a 2-0 win against Estonia, was replaced by Kieran Gibbs for the 3-0 win in Lithuania on Monday.

He revealed that he made the request to Roy Hodgson via Saints and England goalkeeping coach Dave Watson.

“It's important to have Dave also on the English national staff,” he said. “Ryan was a long time away out from football, the second match was on the artificial grass, so I asked Dave, 'Can you have a talk to the national coach? Maybe it's better for Ryan to play one time and not to play on the artificial grass'.

“I understand, it's always difficult ... I'm not against international duties because I think it's a compliment to the players, it's a compliment to the club.

“If he (Hodgson) does differently I have to respect that. But in the case of Ryan I was very pleased that he didn't play the second match. I'm happy that he took that advice.”

Three days before his injury, Long scored as Eire beat world champions Germany 1-0 in Dublin.

Steve Davis fired Northern Ireland to their first World Cup finals with a brace in the 3-1win against Greece in Belfast, Graziano Pelle scored for Italy and Sadio Mane and Maya Yoshida were in action for Senegal and Japan.

“It’s always important for the players to come back with confidence,” he said. “They are all professional and back on time and always keep contact with the club.

“It is a pleasure to manage those types of players but it is very tough for them because of the travel. For Mane and Yoshida it is crazy, but they always come back in a good shape.

“It’s now important to bring focus to the players’ recovery. Preparation [for Leicester’s visit] is more mental than physical.”