Southampton without 'incredible' ace for Man City clash as FA Cup injury news emerges

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been dealt a setback for today’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City as injury news emerges.

Following an impressive five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League stretching from late January to late February, the Saints and Hasenhuttl have been brought back down to earth after three consecutive top-flight losses (Transfermarkt).

Defeats away to Aston Villa and at home to Newcastle and Watford haven’t exactly got Southampton off to a great start this month, but those results could be swiftly forgotten if they pull off an FA Cup upset today.

The Saints take on Premier League champions and current frontrunners Man City at St Mary’s as they look to build upon their impressive 3-1 win over West Ham in the last round.

While most of Hasenhuttl’s squad are now available for selection, the 54-year-old will be without defender Lyanco and goalkeeper Alex McCarty, with the former’s absence in particular coming as a setback.

As relayed by Daily Echo reporter Alfie House, the Brazilian will miss today’s crunch encounter with Pep Guardiola’s side, with Lyanco having still not recovered from injury.

He tweeted: “#SaintsFC have only two players out for #MCFC, Alex McCarthy and Lyanco. Everyone else is in training and available for selection.”

Hasenhuttl will want the 25-year-old back in action as soon as possible for the final Premier League run-in, mainly to boost his options in defence and provide more strength in depth.

Called an ‘incredible’ player by journalist Josh Stewart, Southampton’s manager has held no shortage of praise for Lyanco this term. Professing his ‘love‘ for the defender recently, the Austrian also drew attention to the player’s character and how it fits