Southampton fans have taken to Twitter to react after Ralph Hasenhuttl provided an update on Sofiane Boufal’s toe injury during a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of the crucial relegation six-pointer against Norwich.
The Morocco international – who fell out with Mark Hughes back in 2018 – damaged his toe at home when hitting it against a table, but still managed to play 34 minutes of Saturday evening’s 2-1 win over Watford and delivered a fantastic cameo when doing so.
Boufal successfully completed five dribbles while also recording a key pass, but Hasenhuttl revealed on Tuesday that the former Lille attacker – who cost Southampton a then club-record £16m – is unlikely to start against the Canaries, but could still make an appearance from the bench.
The former RB Leipzig manager also stated that Boufal’s injury is “getting worse”.
“I must say it’s getting worse. After the match, the reaction was not the best one, so for Wednesday it will be difficult, I think. Maybe from the bench, but not from the beginning.”
One fan laughed off the Austrian’s revelation, and highlighted the fact that Boufal played against Watford as evidence to support his presumed point that the 26-year-old must be fit.
Another fan retorted that Hasenhuttl never starts the former Lille man anyway, as if to say that Boufal’s inability to start isn’t that significant.
Additionally, another Southampton fan said that Boufal was the best player “by far” against Watford, which is pretty lofty praise seeing as the forward only managed to play for just over half-an-hour.
This particular supporter above thinks that the injury news is a “shame”, while also stating that the game was changed due to the flamboyant player’s introduction.
Elsewhere, another fan said that it was a good thing that Boufal might not be able to start, so that he can come off the bench and “save us” again.
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This sentiment appeared to be echoed by another supporter, who also felt that the fact Boufal may not be able to start was a positive rather than a negative.
In other Southampton news, take a look at our Saints Team of the Decade, with there being no place for Dusan Tadic, Luke Shaw or Graziano Pelle…
