Austin facing long absence

Southampton could be without striker Charlie Austin for up to four months as he may require surgery on a shoulder injury.

Saints boss Claude Puel revealed the bad news following a medical assessment on the former QPR striker who was substituted during the first half of Saints' 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Speaking following yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough at St Mary’s, Puel called on his squad to cope without Austin who has already scored nine times so far this season, including six in the league.

"Normally he needs surgery and will be perhaps between three months and four months (out)," Puel said.

"It's a good estimation for the time after the surgery. Is it dislocated? Yes I think. Will it need surgery? Yes, normally yes.

"It is important all the players take (responsibility) without Charlie. All the players can take his place.

"Of course it is difficult to play without Charlie because he scores a lot of goals for us. It is important now to look forward with other players."

The Saints have an ideal replacement for Austin in club record signing Sofiane Boufal, whose stunning 25-yard strike sealed victory yesterday. However, he has taken a while to settle in following his arrival from Lille for £21m over the summer and Pule sounded a note of caution.

“Sofiane is a talent but also it is important to work with a good attitude," he added.

"For example in the first half we saw a lot of dribbles without a good thing, he lost a lot of balls. It was not a good Sofiane.

"It was important he came back in the second half and found a good solution when he plays one or two touches and keeps his spontaneity.

"He is a good player with talent. It's important he makes progress and after that he can be the difference every time because he has fantastic quality."

Image: Getty/Clive Rose

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