Steven Davis will be missing from the Saints team to face Leicester tomorrow.

Claude Puel had hoped the Northern Ireland skipper would be back for the FA Cup third round replay against Norwich in midweek after being forced to sit out the defeat at Burnley having picked up a knock.

However, he was not fit enough to face the Canaries, and has now been ruled out for the clash with Leicester.

Long term injury absentees Alex McCarthy, Matt Targett, Charlie Austin and Jake Hesketh remain sidelined, while Sofiane Boufal is recovering from the problem that forced him to miss the Africa Cup of Nations.

Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Bertrand were not risked against Norwich and Puel said: “Yes he (van Dijk) came back in the team after a little pain and sometimes it is important for him to recover.

“He has played a lot of games and he is an important player for us. It is a good thing to have him fit in the team.”