PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Mario Lemina - Fingers crossed for Gabon midfield maestro's return

Manchester United's Marouane Fellani (L) and Southampton's Mario Lemina in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Southampton FC and Manchester United at Saint Mary's Stadium in Southampton, Britain, 23 September 2017.

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Tuesday Nov 21, 2017. 16:00

English Premier League (EPL) side Southampton FC have solely missed the 24-year-old central midfielder, who is currently out nursing an ankle injury.

Mauricio Pellegrini, the Southampton manager, recently announced that Gabon international Lemina would miss their league clash with Liverpool FC.

Most Saints fans were left disappointed and the team went on to suffer a 3-0 defeat to the Reds at the Anfield Stadium on Saturday.

However, Pellegrini did state that Lemina, who has impressed at Southampton after joining the club from Italian giants Juventus, had shown positive progress in his recovery.

Daily Echo, which is one of the leading publications in the city of Southampton, have indicated that the club will be hoping that Lemina makes his return against Everton on Sunday.

"Oriol Romeu will miss Saints’ game against Everton after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the defeat at Liverpool.

"The combative midfielder will serve his one match suspension for the visit of the Toffees to St Mary’s.

"The club will be hoping that Mario Lemina can take his place in the side as he closes in on a return following an ankle injury," a statement read.

Southampton will host Everton in a league encounter at the St Mary's Stadium.