Saints defender Maya Yoshida could be back for next week’s Premier League match with Swansea, after Japan were knocked out of the Asian Cup today.
The favourites for the tournament were stunned at the quarter-final stage by United Arab Emirates, losing 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
The match, in Sydney, had finished 1-1 after extra time.
Centre-half Yoshida had been expected to miss the February 1 clash with Swansea, at St Mary's, but may now be available.
That would be a boost to Saints manager Ronald Koeman, who currently has just two senior centre-backs available - Jose Fonte and Florin Gardos - with Toby Alderweireld expected to be absent for about another fortnight with a hamstring injury.
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