Gavin Bazunu may miss Southampton's Premier League promotion push with Achilles injury

Gavin Bazunu could miss out on Southampton's Premier League promotion push after picking up an injury ahead of his side's league clash against Preston North End.

The Ireland goalkeeper was hurt in the warm-up with Alex McCarthy brought in for his first league start as the Saints went on to beat Preston 3-0.

Bazunu appears to have damaged his Achilles tendon in the warm-up, and now faces an anxious wait to see if he will be involved in any of the final four league games, while there is also the possibility that Southampton may have to go down the play-off route to the top flight.

Southampton now find themselves just four points from the automatic promotion places, however, manager Russell Martin fears the worst for his number one ahead of the end-of-season run-in.

"It's a bad one," said Martin after the game. "He has felt something in his Achilles and will have a scan tomorrow.

"Really gutted for Gav, it looks a really bad one, so I don't expect to see him again this season, but obviously we'll know a bit more in the next couple of days and the players and the staff will support him as best as we possibly can, because we have brilliant people here at this club.

"So Gavin knows he's cared for and loved for, and we'll get around him and hope for some good news, but probably expect it to not be very good at all.

"I saw him just after the injury and he's devastated, as are we. He's been amazing for us, he's been such a good player."

Ireland will play two friendly internationals in June against Hungary and Portugal.