Two Southampton strikers are headed for the treatment table over the international break

Southampton strikers Danny Ings and Shane Long are headed for the treatment table over the international break.

Ings picked up a niggle in the warm-up shortly before Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Watford, tweaking his hamstring. He played on with the injury, but was substituted as his injury never improved.

Meanwhile, Long suffered an ankle injury in training on Friday and could be set for surgery according to Southampton manager Mark Hughes.

“Danny unfortunately overstretched in the warm up and we weren’t sure whether he was going to start the game and he wanted to see if he could have an impact for us,” Hughes said after the Watford game. [H/T the Daily Echo]

“Clearly he was struggling and couldn’t get round the pitch and he needed to come off.

“That was on the back of losing Shane Long yesterday and it looks like he might need a small procedure on his ankle to address that problem he’s had for some time now.

“Losing two main line strikes who probably would have played a part was tough to take.

Further comments on Ings:

“It might just be an overextension of the knee and a few fibres behind the knee. Let’s hope it just settles down and we keep our fingers crossed it’s not a hamstring.”

Further comments on Long:

Of Long he added: “If he does have the procedure, and it’s not confirmed as yet, it could be a little bit of washout to free out the ankle. That would be two weeks maybe.

With those two players potentially out for the match with Fulham in two weeks, it affords more opportunities for fellow forwards Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin.

The former, of course, scored on Saturday, while the latter also netted - but his effort was promptly ruled out, much to his chagrin.

Hughes is already seemingly happy with the performances of both Gabbiadini and Austin.

“I thought the guys who came in were excellent,” Hughes said. “Gabbiadini on the left hand side not withstanding the goal he got was outstanding.

“I think he’s a good option there and that’s his best position being able to come late into the box and at a different angle and pace. He will always have that goalscoring instinct he has retained.

“I was pleased with his performance as I was with the majority of guys.”