Lincoln City will face a Southampton side missing midfielder Caspar Jander when the Saints visit Sincil Bank on Saturday lunchtime.
The 23-year-old has not played this season after suffering a quad injury during Southampton’s opening pre-season friendly against Eastleigh. He had been expected to return sooner, but head coach Tonda Eckert has now confirmed that the midfielder has experienced a setback in his rehabilitation.
Jander was an important figure for the Saints last season, but he will not recover in time to feature against the Imps. Southampton had initially hoped to have him available for their next two fixtures, although his return may now be delayed until closer to the international break.
“He has had a little setback,” Eckert revealed.
“We’ll do everything to get him back on the pitch as quick as possible.
“We still hope to have him before the international break. We hoped to have him for the next two games, but it might be a bit later.”
His continued absence leaves Southampton without one of their established central midfield options for the trip to Sincil Bank. Cameron Bragg has started most of their matches in that area this season, while Kuryu Matsuki has also been deployed centrally alongside captain Flynn Downes.
However, Eckert could have a significant decision to make after James Ward-Prowse returned to Southampton during the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
The former Saints captain has appeared from the bench in their last two Championship matches and is now pushing for his first start since returning to St Mary’s. His set-piece delivery would provide Southampton with another obvious threat, particularly against a City side likely to face periods without the ball against one of the division’s stronger squads.
Southampton arrive in Lincoln after taking four points from their previous two league matches. They followed a convincing 5-1 victory against Millwall with a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City, where August Priske scored their equaliser.
The Saints are expected to be among the promotion contenders this season, although City have already shown they are capable of competing against strong Championship opposition. Our first home victory remains the next target, and Jander’s absence removes one influential player from the visitors’ midfield ahead of Saturday’s 12.30 pm kick-off.
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