Southampton confirm Danny Ings set for ‘four to six weeks’ out with knee injury as Ralph Hasenhuttl reveals striker will have surgery

Southampton have confirmed Danny Ings is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The Saints’ 4-3 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday came at a cost as top scorer Ings, who netted in the thrilling encounter, was injured late on.

Ings was forced off after a collision with Villa’s Ahmed Elmohamady, which prompted fears the south coast club could be without their talisman – who has a history of knee injuries – for some time.

And Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed on Wednesday morning that the England international is set to have a ‘small’ operation on the problem on Thursday.

“At the moment it looks like he is out for 4-6 weeks,” said the boss ahead of Friday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle.

“He’ll have a small surgery tomorrow morning.

“It could be worse, but he’ll be out and it’s not good news for us.”

Ings is Southampton’s top scorer with five goal this season, while he boasts an impressive record of 38 goals and eight assists in 75 games since joining the club from Liverpool.

His goals have helped Saints to fifth in the Premier League table, but they will now be without their hitman for upcoming games against Newcastle, Wolves, Manchester United, Brighton, Sheffield United and Arsenal in the next six weeks.

And Hasenhuttl has called for the Saints’ other players to step up in the striker’s absence.

“We are more than Danny Ings. It’s a big loss but it’s important now for other players to give us alternatives.

“Nobody has to play like Danny Ings, every player should play his best possible game.”