SAINTS defender Ryan Manning has been assessed ahead of their trip to Leicester City this afternoon.

The Irish international was withdrawn at halftime during Southampton's 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City on Saturday, having suffered a knock. 

When asked for an update on Manning's fitness, Martin explained that they will decide whether they want to risk him against the Foxes.

He said: "Ryan was feeling better as the game wore on. He will be assessed. He was assessed on Sunday and it felt a bit better.

"It's now about if we risk him for one game and then maybe lose him for another one. We will have to wait and see."

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Much like Cardiff, Leicester will likely look to hurt Saints in the wide areas. Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Issahaku have been two of Enzo Maresca's key players this term.

Their attacking threat could alter Southampton's thinking at full-back. They may opt to choose the more defensively sound James Bree even if Manning is fit.

"I think we will play the one that's most suited to our game plan, how we want to build up how and how we want to play," Martin added.

"What we see is going to be really important for us. We have three talented full-backs and two of them can play at any point because they're good.

"We'll put the best two on the pitch for this game and then that might change again on Saturday and moving forward.

"I think we can be quite flexible there. I haven't got a problem with any of them playing."

Kamaldeen Sulemana was another who looked as though he sustained an injury against the Bluebirds on Saturday when he collapsed in the box.

Daily Echo: Kamaldeen Sulemana appeared to be knocked out in a collision in the Cardiff City box.Kamaldeen Sulemana appeared to be knocked out in a collision in the Cardiff City box. (Image: PA)

The Ghanaian winger had to be tended to by medics after Jan Bednarek put him in the recovery position.

Despite the scary scenes, Martin insisted that the club's record signing was alright, saying: "Kamaldeen was fine.

"He wasn't knocked out although he looked that way on the pitch. Maybe he just needed a bit of a rest, he is fine."