Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that James Ward-Prowse has not broken his leg following distressing scenes during the Saints’ FA Cup loss against Tottenham.
Ward-Prowse suffered a deep cut as a result of a coming-together with Ryan Sessegnon during the first half of Southampton’s second-leg defeat to Spurs.
The midfielder had to be stretchered off as a result of the injury after trying to block a clearance from Sessegnon.
The young left-back’s foot carried on after he had played the ball, and his studs appeared to dig into Ward-Prowse’s leg.
Initially, it was feared that his leg was broken, as Shane Long could be heard shouting: “F**k me, you can see his f*****g bone.”
But after the game, Hasenhuttl confirmed that the injury wasn’t as bad as first feared.
He said: “I’m happy that Prowsey’s injury is not that bad.
“It’s only a cut on the knee – deep one and you could see the bone, so it will take a bit of time to heal.
“If it was a ligament injury, it would be more of a problem for us.”
Sessegnon appeared to be visibly upset by the injury, having clearly made no intention to make contact with the opposing midfielder.
And Jose Mourinho revealed that he hadn’t spoken with his player, but expected him to be okay.
“No, he was okay,” said Mourinho. “Of course he’s not a left-back.
“I told him at the beginning since I arrived that I have a way to develop to be a solid left-back so it’s not easy for him.