Ralph Hasenhuttl hopes Ibrahima Diallo can fill the void left by Oriol Romeu

Like Kyle Walker-Peters, Ibrahima Diallo is an important Southampton player who has been sat on the sidelines nursing a muscle injury over the last couple of months.

Another similarity between the two is that they’re both in line for a return for Saints’ Saturday afternoon clash with Sheffield United after re-joining the first team training in midweek.

Diallo, a summer signing from Brest, has looked impressive for Southampton when he deputised for Oriol Romeu earlier in the season.

Once Romeu came back from injury, Diallo then suffered injury. Since then, the Spanish midfield destroyer suffered a fractured ankle against Leeds United and is out for the remainder of the season.

Southampton injury news: Hasenhuttl unsure of Walker-Peters return against Sheffield United

That injury leaves Saints more than short in central midfield and Diallo nearing a return is welcome news for Hasenhuttl.

Southampton’s poor form of late has heightened the importance of their visit to Bramall Lane today and Hasenhuttl is looking for Diallo to make an impact even if he’s not at his best fitness-wise.

“It’s normally always necessary to get adapted to the game, but when you keep it simple you can still make an immediate impact,” Hasenhuttl said of a Diallo return.

“When you make it too difficult and make a few mistakes, maybe that can pull you down.

“Normally, he is a smart guy and he knows what he has to do. We will help him to put in a good performance if he plays.”