SHANE Long is an injury doubt ahead of Friday’s game against Norwich.

Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed the striker is struggling with a minor muscle issue in his back and hinted he could be forced to miss Saints’ return to action.

It will come as a blow to Long, as he's recently signed a new two-year contract, keeping him at St Mary's until at least 2022.

Elsewhere, Moussa Djenepo is unavailable to play after picking up a red card against Newcastle at the beginning of March.

The winger will also be suspended for Saints’ upcoming games against Arsenal and Watford.

“First of all, we are very excited to be back in business. 

“With Moussa's suspension he's the only player I'm missing at the moment.

“Everybody else is fit but Shane Long has a little problem with a muscle in his back in training and I don't know if the weekend is too early. 

“The weekend I think he must take a rest, but the rest of the group is fine.”