Mauricio Pochettino is hoping that his international stars come back in good health ready to take on champions Manchester City.

The new Saints boss admitted a bit of fear that some of his jet setting stars might get injured while representing their countries this week but is hoping for the best.

“It’s a worry for them, a worry for the club and a worry for me but we have to accept the conditions of how it is with the national team,” he said.

“We have to adapt to this situation.”

Saints don’t actually have their full complement of international stars going away this week.

Recognised first teamers who will be away are Artur Boruc, Steven Davis, Vegard Forren and James Ward-Prowse with youngsters Calum Chambers and Lloyd Isgrove also called up.

Gaston Ramirez and Nathaniel Clyne are staying with Saints after pulling out of the Uruguay and England under-21 squads respectively through injury, while Shaw has returned to Saints with a suspected injury.

Boruc, who has established himself as the Saints number one, has earned himself a recall to the Poland squad who face the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night.

Steven Davis is expected to captain Northern Ireland for their trip to Malta, Shaw is away with the England under-21s while new signing Forren, who is still being prepared for a first team debut for Saints, will be back home in Norway as they take on Ukraine.

“A lot of players are going to go off with their international teams but that isn’t going to stop us working,” said Pochettino.

“We will face up to the Manchester City game with the same mentality we always have – to get the three points.”