Steven Davis is set to miss out through injury once again as Saints take on Chelsea on Saturday.

Mark Hughes had pencilled the Northern Ireland captain into his possible starting team to take on Arsenal last weekend, but had to rethink when Davis hurt his Achilles in the build-up to the match.

Davis has been out since early February and Hughes would ideally like to draw on his experience, but that won’t be against the Blues at St Mary’s.

“Steven Davis we hoped was going to be available for last weekend but didn’t come through a fitness test on the Saturday,” admitted Hughes.

“He missed out last weekend and unfortunately the injury hasn’t progressed at any kind of rate so he hasn’t been back with the group yet so he’s still a doubt.

“Other than that the squad is fit and healthy.”

Shane Long limped off in the defeat against Arsenal, but Hughes expects him to be ready for Chelsea.

“Shane is ok,” reported Hughes.

“He hasn’t been with the group until today but he trained today and if he doesn’t get a reaction and is ok tomorrow then he is available.”