Jack Cork will be sidelined for at least six weeks after damaging ankle ligaments.

The luckless midfielder recovered from illness in time to replace Morgan Schneiderlin in the side to face Arsenal on Wednesday but ended up hobbling off during the first half at the Emirates.

Scans have revealed ligament damage which will sideline Cork for at least a month and a half.

Saints boss Ronal Koeman, who also admitted he would like to keep Cork beyond the end of the season, when his current deal expires, did at least have better news on Toby Alderweireld.

His hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared and he is touch and go to be available for Monday’s game against Manchester United.

Koeman said: “It’s a day off but for the manager not.

“I went to the training centre of course this morning about some updates of the players and OK Jack Cork not. He has ankle ligaments and he will be out for maybe more than six weeks from what I heard from the doctor.

“Morgan Schneiderlin is doing well but he’s not fit for Monday.

“Toby Alderweireld is positive. It’s not really a hamstring injury, it’s more fatigue in his muscle and he’s doubtful for Monday. Maybe yes, maybe not, we have to wait, the game is on Monday and now have two or three days more.

“That’s I think the update on the injured players.”

Koeman also confirmed Dusan Tadic will be fit for United after picking up a minor knock while James Ward-Prowse is closing in on a return to first team training.

“He’s doing well,” reported Koeman of Ward-Prowse. “He’s near to train with the rest of the players and we have good hope that he will start training with the rest of the group from the end of next week.”

When asked whether Saints’ injuries would impact on their approach against United he added: “It’s no impact because we have more than 11 players still and we have to play with 11 and that’s enough.”