Shane Long is set to be tasked with breaking his barren run in front of goal to fire Saints back up the Premier League table.

The Republic of Ireland striker has not scored in 19 hours of football for Saints, having ended the last campaign on a run of form that saw him crowned Daily Echo Player of the Season.

With Charlie Austin sidelined with a shoulder injury which Saints continue to assess, Long is likely to be the figurehead for the Saints attack in the coming weeks.

Claude Puel also hinted he could call upon Jay Rodriguez and Sofiane Boufal for tomorrow’s game against Middlesbrough as he aims to get Saints back to winning ways.

“It’s a disappointment for him (Austin) because he can do a good first part of the season, but it’s important now for the team to have a good answer with a different offensive players,” insisted Puel.

“We will see the quality of the other players and now I hope we can work for example Rodriguez and Boufal for this game.

“They were a little injured for Thursday and it’s important to have all the players available for the next games. Of course it will be important.”

Long last scored for Saints on May 2, and has gone 19 appearances – some 1,149 minutes - for the club since without finding the net, despite producing some good all-round striking displays for his team.

The clamour for Puel to sign another striker in January has grown even louder following the injury to Austin, but he stuck to his position when asked about it.

“We will see this in the good time,” said the Saints boss.

“I think it’s important to stay with a good concentration about the last games of the year and for me it’s a very important game to come back with authority, with conviction, and it’s important to win a game on the Premier League with a good spirit.

“I am sure we have to have the good reaction because we have competitive players and we will see this on Sunday.”

Puel reasserted his view that the goalscoring problems at Saints are not just about the strikers, but a lack of goals from the team as a whole.

“The answer for me is always it’s a collective answer,” reflected Puel. “All the players can score, like against Arsenal for example where Bertrand score and Clasie. A defender and a midfielder, not just wait for a striker.

“It’s important to keep a good play, to have good chances, and after to find the good clinical to finish.

“It’s very interesting, a strong challenge to come back on Sunday with a good spirit after the disappointment and this is the ability of a great team.

“After elimination in the Champions League or European the great team comes back with a fantastic spirit and a great motivation and concentration for the next game in the Premier League.

“I am sure we will have a good answer on Sunday."