The Newcastle United winger will be out of action for a month with his loan club.
Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser will miss Southampton’s next five games due to a knee injury.
Fraser, who joined the Saints on a season-long loan last summer, was substituted after just 18 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 Championship loss to Millwall.
The 30-year-old departed The Den on crutches, and it has since been revealed that he will be sidelined for one month.
“He’ll be out for a little while, unfortunately,” manager Russell Martin explained. “It’s a bit of a blow for us, and a big blow for him, but he’ll be back probably after the international break.” Hopefully, everything will be well shortly thereafter.
“We lose something when he doesn’t play, and that is his relentless sprinting ability. We miss his ability to cross on the move, his passion to score or assist, and his work ethic for the club.
“The other men have to step up now. When someone is injured, as is always the case in sports, someone else gets an opportunity. I’m sorry about Wee Man since he’s been fantastic since he arrived here. That will be evident from his data output.
“You don’t have to look at it to see what he’s brought. I believe everyone has liked having him, but he will undoubtedly play an important role for us in the run-in. We just need to focus on getting him fit as soon as possible.”
Fraser will stay on the South Coast, unlike fellow loanees Harrison Ashby and Yankuba Minteh, who returned to Tyneside for treatment earlier in the season.
“I don’t think he has any desire to go back to Newcastle and get treatment,” he said. “He wants to be a part of it here, especially in the dressing room. This would be our choice. He is a huge character in the locker room.”
Fraser is not likely to return until after the international break, therefore he will miss tonight’s FA Cup match at Liverpool, as well as at least four league games.
The former AFC Bournemouth winger will be sorely missed by Southampton, having scored eight goals in 32 appearances this season. He has one year left on his Newcastle contract but is unlikely to play again after falling out with Eddie Howe last year.
The Saints have already indicated an interest in signing the Scot permanently. Martin previously stated: “We want good players and good characters, and Ryan definitely fits into that.”
“The fact that he feels the way he does after only a short time here is fantastic for us as a team of players and staff to demonstrate what we are attempting to develop here.
“People believe they belong and want to be a part of it. He is having a great time, and his energy levels have been high in recent weeks. He’s been so brilliant in training; he does everything correctly, whether it’s a passing drill or a warm-up.
“He’s a superb professional who has contributed much to the group. The best thing he can do is continue doing what he is doing. There will be a lot going on between now and the end of the season.
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