Mark Hughes has only one injury concern for the trip to Crystal Palace, sadly for Saints fans it's the one that they most fear.

Danny Ings has made a big impact since his arrival from Liverpool and has looked the man to revitalise the Saints attack, however Mark Hughes has revealed that his absence from the squad at Brighton on Tuesday night wasn't just down to giving him time to sort a few things out after a whirlwind few weeks after his deadline day move but because he has an injury.

"We're in a good place in terms of our fitness," the boss revealed. "For the most part, we're all available."

"We've got a slight concern with Danny [Ings], he's got a sore foot. We're going to have to settle that down, he hasn't been on his feet too much this week."

"We felt that was the best thing, to take the pressure off the area. Hopefully that'll allow him to be in a better place in terms of the injury."

This could mean anything, Hughes like Saints in general over the past few years likes to keep his opponents guessing, so it is hard to read too much into what he is saying, Ings could either be as fit as a fiddle or with his foot in plaster and out for longer than the odd game.

Nothing wrong with these tactics whatsoever, if he baffles the opposition then that has to be a good thing.

If Ings fails to pass muster then Hughes has several options up front, Shane Long looked good against Leicester especially in the first half, Charlie Austin came on against Brighton and scored, Manolo Gabbiadini looked out of sorts against Brighton so would perhaps be more likely used from the bench and then thee is Sam Gallagher.

Gallagher has been written off by many as a serious challenger for a place up front, however at Brighton he looked good in the final 20 minutes and his running upped the tempo for Saints and helped the team find momentum and ultimately win the game.

The question is though playing against a Brighton reserve side is a lot different from playing in the Premier league, does Gallagher have enough in his locker ? perhaps Hughes may feel that now is the time to find out !

Photo: Action Images

VancouverSaint added 03:56 - Aug 31 Definitely time for Gallagher to show what he can do. If the big guy can hold the line and feed Charlie or Gabbi, then this is the time to prove it.
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underweststand added 13:32 - Aug 31 Danny Ings is one of the most competative players to pull on a Saints shirt in a long while. His encounter with Jordan Pickford at Goodison shows that he's not afraid of physical contact, whatever the cost. He is both brave and talented. He has a point to prove to himself, and to the club who failed to recognise his talent at a young age and saw only his stature (or lack of it ). Like all players he's going to get a knock and a kick from time to time, but hopefully people won't start calling him " injury prone " whenever he does and blame the club for signing him in the first place.

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darthvader added 07:00 - Sep 1 I heard it's a blister on his foot
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BaselSaint added 15:32 - Oct 16 Only Ings. Great.
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