MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl said Ibrahima Diallo could be back in action earlier than Theo Walcott, as pair both continue to recover from their respective injury issues.

The duo have both been out of action since pulling up with muscle problems in Saints’ 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa last month.

Summer signing Diallo managed 59 minutes against the Birmingham outfit before loan ace Walcott limped off six minutes later.

Asked for timescales on the pair’s respective recoveries, Hasenhuttl said: “Diallo a little bit earlier I think, there is no tendon involvement.

“Theo will take a little bit longer.”

Saints are set to visit Leeds United in the Premier League tomorrow (6pm).

The Austrian boss said midfielder Stuart Armstrong would be “50-50” ahead of the contest at Elland Road.

The Scotland international missed out on Saturday’s clash against Chelsea due to a muscle injury.