Steven Davis is a doubt for Sunday’s game against Manchester City with Ronald Koeman describing the midfielder as a “key player” for the team.

It was initially hoped that Davis would only be sidelined for a week or so when he was forced off against Leicester on November 8 with a slight hamstring problem.

However, the Northern Ireland captain has been out ever since and remains touch and go to be fit for the visit of defending Premier League champions City to St Mary’s on Sunday.

“Still Steven Davis is the only player who is doubtful for this Sunday,” said Koeman.

“He had a recovery session today and normally he will train tomorrow with the group and then we have to take that decision as to whether he will play.”

He added: “He is in my opinion a key player for my team.

“He’s an experienced player, a player who can play in the offensive way in the midfield like Ward-Prowse.

“If you miss both players then sometimes your midfield is a bit more defensive or against Aston Villa very offensive and you play 4-2-4 and I don’t like that.”

Koeman also gave an update on the fitness of James Ward-Prowse and Sam Gallagher, who are set to return during the busy December period.

“I think Sam needs two or three weeks more, the same time as James Ward-Prowse has,” reported Koeman.

“He had a meniscus operation and then you need around eight-ten weeks.

“He’s doing well, he’s on time and it will be nice to have those kind of players back in the busy programme that we have.

“It’s always important to have everybody involved, to have an opportunity, but out of Sam Gallagher we have Mayuka and Shane Long can play in the position and we need that because we know Pelle and Schneiderlin is one yellow card (from suspension) but that is football, it’s normal.”