RALPH Hasenhuttl has admitted that he still wants Tino Livramento back as soon as possible despite Kyle Walker-Peters sending reminders of his quality in right-back.
The 19-year-old sensation still sits on the sidelines for Saints as he recovers from a meniscus injury in his knee, currently taking part in individual training.
A serious meniscus injury can require surgery that keeps a player out for up to a year, but early signs show that Livramento’s concern is not producing any further reaction in the knee.
The teenage star played each of the first 18 matches of the Premier League in succession – a league first since Micah Richards emerged at Manchester City.
Former Spurs defender Walker-Peters has taken the opportunity to star on his favoured right-side in Livramento’s absence, where he played all of last season as one of Saints’ best performers.
The 24-year-old scored the first Premier League goal of his career in the 1-1 draw with City on Saturday.
However, Hasenhuttl has admitted that he still wants Livramento back soon to allow him to continue to rotate.
Asked by the Daily Echo if Walker-Peters’ usefulness lessens the pressure on getting Livramento’s return, he said: “No, I hope he is soon back because we need every player at the moment.
“We have after the break I think five games in two weeks so we need every player, especially when you want to switch and a little bit take care of the workload then you need to have an alternative.
“Can you imagine that we have only one right-back this season, say Tino, and he is out?”
He continued: “Then you are struggling like we have done in the last year, it would be horrible.
“This year we said we wanted a bigger squad, we have one, especially in this full-back position – even Romain (Perraud) was really important today on the left side, he did also a good job today.
“It is massive for us.”
Livramento is expected to continue his recovery over the two-week break with no more fixtures until Saturday, February 5 – when Coventry City visit St Mary’s in the FA Cup fourth round.
Hasenhuttl will give an update on the England under-21s fitness ahead of that contest.
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