PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Mario Lemina - Relegation-threatened Southampton hoping for Gabonese star's return

Mario Lemina, Southampton

Tuesday Apr 10, 2018. 16:00

Southampton FC's relegation woes increased when they lost 3-2 away to Arsenal FC in an English Premier League game over the weekend.

Gabon international Lemina did not feature for Southampton as the central midfielder is currently out recovering from an unknown illness.

The defeat left the Saints placed 18th on the league standings - three points behind 17th-placed Crystal Palace.

Mark Hughes, the Southampton manager, told the club's official website that they will build from their promising display against the Gunners.

“I needed to see a group of players working hard, doing the hard yards and affecting the opposition with intent and purpose, and I saw that from the first minute," he said.

“I think it’s important that we take what we can from the game. It’s a disappointment clearly but I don’t think it effects our confidence negatively. If anything, we should take heart from the level of performance we showed here.

“We can build on this, everyone that watched the game – the support was fantastic from the away end - will have seen the effort the lads put in.”

Southampton will be hoping that their star midfielder Lemina recovers in time for the league clash with Chelsea which be will be played at St. Mary's Stadium on Saturday.