BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed Tino Livramento, Will Smallbone and Alex McCarthy would remain out of action due to injury for Saints’ home clash with Manchester City.

Star full-back Livramento remains sidelined with a meniscus problem, while midfielder Smallbone is nursing a calf injury. Both are not yet back in training with Hasenhuttl’s squad.

Keeper McCarthy has missed the past six league games with a hamstring issue sustained against Brighton last month.

Saints have been boosted by the returns of Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elyounoussi after they returned from COVID-19 isolation.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s battle with Pep Guardiola’s side, Austrian boss Hasenhuttl said: “Tino and Will Smallbone are still the guys who aren’t training with the team. Everybody else is training with the team.

“Some are coming back after the COVID quarantine and are back in training. At the moment, we have 20 outfield players on the pitch.”

Willy Caballero first stood in for the injured McCarthy between the sticks, while Fraser Forster has taken the gloves for the past four league contests.

“Alex is still out and not available at the moment after his injury,” added Hasenhuttl.

“It still takes time for him to come back, so this question is not there at the moment.

“Fraser has to do a good job at the moment, Willy is also a fantastic alternative, H (Harry Lewis) is still important for us as a club.

“We are happy to have these alternatives.”