Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana will miss the start of the Premier League season due to injury, according to manager Russell Martin.
The Ghana international is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks, which means he will miss the opening match against Newcastle United and the subsequent home fixture against Nottingham Forest.
Sulemana sustained the injury during Southampton’s pre-season friendly against Oxford United and was later seen leaving the stadium in a protective boot. The 22-year-old’s absence further depletes Southampton’s options on the wing, an area where the team was already short on depth.
Currently, Sam Edozie and Sam Amo-Ameyaw are the only fully fit wingers available, although Ben Brereton Diaz, Adam Armstrong, and Tyler Dibling can also play in wide positions. The club is actively pursuing reinforcements, including a potential loan deal for Ryan Fraser and interest in Crystal Palace’s Jesurun-Rak Sakyi.
Manager Russell Martin also provided an update on French forward Sekou Mara, who was also substituted during the Oxford match. Martin expects Mara to return by Wednesday. He told the Daily Echo: “Kamaldeen is out for three weeks. Sekou will be back on for Wednesday, I would have thought.”
Martin has already insisted that Saints have highlighted the wide areas as an area where they need to strengthen this summer.
