SAINTS star Nathan Redmond has been ruled out for "two-three weeks" with an ankle injury.

The winger was forced to leave the Craven Cottage pitch in the second half against Fulham and was later seen leaving the ground on crutches and wearing a protective boot.

Redmond is pivotal to Ralph Hasenhuttl's style of play, with the Saints boss explaining his key player's absence will be a huge loss over the coming weeks, beginning with Manchester United on Saturday.

Hasenhuttl said: “At the moment it looks like he will be out for two-three weeks.

“He could be out longer, and he has to wear a protective boot for the next 10 days, but it [his recovery] could be quicker.

“It could also have been worse. We are not happy about having injuries after the last game.

“He will be a massive loss for our team for sure. He can make a difference and I am happy that it’s not worse because it could’ve been and then the impact would have been worse for us.

“Every game he is missing isn’t good for us.”

Striker Michael Obafemi also left the pitch during Tuesday night's Carabao Cup win shortly after scoring the winning goal.

It looked as though he had injured his hamstring again, only for Hasenhuttl to confirm it was just a case of cramp.

Despite this, the Republic of Ireland international is a concern heading into the Manchester United fixture at St Mary's.

Also joining him in the treatment room will be summer signing Moussa Djenepo.

Djenepo lasted 90 minutes at Craven Cottage but has a problem with a muscle which will prevent him from featuring against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side this weekend.

There was, at least, some positive news for Saints as defender Ryan Bertrand returned to training yesterday.

Although, it's not yet known whether he'll recover from his ankle injury in time for Saturday.

Hasenhuttl added: “Moussa is also injured, he has a problem with his muscle and is out for the weekend.

“Michael Obafemi cramped a little bit and maybe the game at the weekend is too much for him after the game on Tuesday."