Interim Southampton manager Simon Rusk might get a significant lift on the injury front as his squad prepares to host Liverpool for the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash on Wednesday.
Manager Russell Martin was given the boot on Sunday following an embarrassing 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham that marked their 13th Premier League loss in 16 games.
Injured Saints' shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale, who has been sidelined for five matches with a finger injury and served as a pundit for TNT Sports during the disastrous Tottenham encounter, is eyeing a return.
Prior to Martin's departure, Ramsdale said: "The finger is getting more bendy, it’s getting there. It was too soon for this game. I’m looking forward to (this) week. We have two games that I’m hoping to be involved in.
"It was a tough one to watch. It must have been a lot harder to play. After the work you put in, to go behind that quickly and be 5-0 down at half-time, I can’t imagine the feeling playing that second half."
"We have to just forgot about it really quickly, which is easier said than done. I am sure it will be a real tough one for the boys, but we’ve got to go again.
"We’ve got a big game and one we can try to get into the semi-final of the cup on Wednesday."
Ramsdale, a new signing for the summer, watched Southampton collapse within the first minute at St Mary's and concede two more goals by the 14th minute, ultimately going down by five before the break.
The Saints' manager Martin was already feeling the heat from St Mary's faithful, with disgruntled supporters chanting for the 38-year-old's departure before he retreated to the dressing room as the first half wound down with his team trailing.
The harrowing 5-0 defeat leaves Southampton languishing at the foot of the Premier League table, but the squad can't dwell on the setback with Liverpool's looming arrival for the Carabao Cup showdown.
Rusk, who assumed responsibilities for Southampton’s under-21s in July, initiated his coaching journey with Brighton’s academy in 2015 and previously held a managerial post at Stockport before stints with the Football Association and notably Nottingham Forest as a set-piece specialist last season.
Now, having transitioned to St Mary's, Rusk barely has time to regroup before facing Liverpool midweek, yet the players are eager to make amends.