SAINTS have been dealt a double injury blow as both Stuart Armstrong and Will Smallbone have been ruled out of this weekend’s match against Newcastle.

Armstrong suffered a concussion following last Saturday’s defeat to West Ham after being greeted by Aaron Cresswell’s elbow in the opening minute.

It's important to note that the Scottish international had passed all the medical checks undertaken by Saints' medical staff on the side of the pitch.

He continued to play at the London Stadium but started to feel the effects 24 hours later which meant he had to take a break from training to recover properly.

Smallbone, on the other hand, has been sick which means he also won’t feature for Saints.

Speaking about the latest team news, Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “We have a few problems, especially at number 10.

“Stuey got a concussion after two minutes at West Ham and can’t train. He has had to take a break. 

“Will Smallbone is sick so can’t train and isn’t available. Reddy is still out.”

Hasenhuttl expects winger Nathan Redmond to return to training during the international break at the end of March.

Redmond injured a tendon in his thigh which wasn’t helped by a build-up of blood in the area.

He hasn’t played for Saints since the FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Tottenham at the beginning of February.

His setback came at the worst time for Hasenhuttl, as the 25-year-old was starting to show glimpses he’d rediscovered the form that made him such a handful last season.

Asked just how much he’s missing Redmond, Saints’ boss added: “I can’t say he only played fantastic games this season.  At the moment he got the injury he was in his best spell. 

“You’re never happy about the moment of an injury but that was perhaps the worst as he was feeling so confident and good. 

“It was a very good couple on the left side with Ryan [Bertrand] and him so we had to have changes a few times, but this is normal. 

“It’s important we find again the couple that works best together because our shape is a lot about doubling up and helping each other. 

“Hopefully he’ll be back after Norwich – that’s the plan at the moment. Then we have a long break when he can hopefully start training with the team. That’s the goal we have.”