SAINTS manager Ruben Selles was asked about reports suggesting Mohammed Salisu is absent from the squad due to commitment issues and confirmed the defender is injured.

The 23-year-old has played just once in eight Premier League games under Selles before and after the recent international break.

Salisu was injured in the build-up to the break but played 83 minutes versus Tottenham Hotspur before going away with Ghana and coming back with a hip abductor problem.

However, a recent report elsewhere detailed that Salisu – whose current Saints contract expires next summer – has been left out of the squad due to doubts over his commitment.

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Selles faced questions on whether the defender was being left out for this reason and responded: “He had some problems in the past for us for example in game against Chelsea. When he went to the national team he felt it again.

“When he came back we had to put him into the injury process. He was expected to play today for the B team to try to solve problem but he didn’t feel great so he’s not available either.”

The Spaniard added: “The injury I think is related with his hip - his adductor. There has been some problems from before. From during the season also. And it just gets worse. So they are just trying to take the therapy with that.”

Probed again if he has any problem with his attitude, Selles responded: “He’s an injured player. We cannot have an issue with the attitude if he is injured, so we talk about the players that are available.

“Salisu unfortunately is not available for us, so the issues for the attitude will be for the players who are with us working and trying to compete for the win.”