RYAN Bertrand and Jordy Clasie have not recovered from injury in time to face West Brom on Saturday.

Neither player has featured in the Premier League this term and, although it was initially be hoped they might be available after the international break, they are not yet ready for a return to action.

"Ryan is more close than Jordy," said Koeman. "Ryan is also doing some parts of the sessions.

"I have good hope that he will start training with the whole group from next Monday, but you have to understand that he didn’t have pre-season and that’s always difficult for a player, because three months without any game, three months without any good training sessions in football is a long time."

 

While Bertrand has been absent following knee surgery, Clasie was initially sidelined with a hamstring problem picked up on his competitive debut for the club - in the 3-0 Europa League win against Vitesse - before injuring his ankle during an under-21 game.

The midfielder, who joined from Feyenoord this summer, is expected to miss next week's home game against Manchester United as well, but Koeman hopes he may be fit enough to feature in the Capital One Cup trip to MK Dons on Wednesday, September 23.

"I think Man United is still too early," said Koeman.

"I have good hope maybe because then after United we have the League Cup – MK Dons – and maybe, maybe it’s a good opportunity to be part of that game."

Koeman reported no injuries from the players who had been away on international duty, although Senegal's Sadio Mane and Curaçao's Cuco Martina were still travelling back yesterday.

The Saints boss also provided an update on Fraser Forster, who has been out since suffering a serious patellar tendon injury in March.

"He’s doing well, but it’s a long process, we know," he said. "Maybe seven, eight, nine months.

"Ok, he started training again in April. He was starting after the surgery in April his first weeks of rehabilitation. He is outside and that’s good to see, because he is an important player."

Koeman said he would put no timescale on the keeper's return, although when asked if it could be before Christmas he said: "I hope."

As for his own status, Koeman is now off crutches, having ruptured his Achilles last month.

"I'm fine, not like before, but close to normal walking – 10 days more in this boot, but without crutches," he said. "That’s very positive."