STRIKER Che Adams will remain absent for Saints' crucial clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday as the Scottish international works his way back from a calf injury.

Adams has started 22 of Saints' 30 Premier League matches this season but he will now miss his third game in a row after suffering the muscular injury while away on international duty with Scotland.

"Ché Adams is not coming back (this weekend), unfortunately," manager Ruben Selles said in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference on Friday afternoon.

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In addition to Adams, Saints will also be without Mohammed Salisu and Mislav Orsic while Juan Larios is not expected to play again this season.

"Salisu neither is coming back and Juan Larios still has a long-term injury. Mislav Oršić had a hip problem during the week and is not going to be available," Selles continued.

Top scorer in all competitions with ten goals, Saints have missed Adams' physical and determined presence up front particularly with January signing Paul Onuachu becoming an afterthought in Selles's plans.

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Even with Adams sidelined, Onuachu has managed just 18 minutes in Saints' last three league matches with his most recent start coming in the 1-0 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road.

While Saints started without a natural striker in their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, Sekou Mara came off the bench to notch his side's goal and the 20-year-old could be in line for his fifth league start of the campaign should Selles continue to prefer him over Onuachu.