Southampton are facing a growing injury crisis ahead of their trip to Manchester City on Saturday, with midfielder Will Smallbone the latest player to be ruled out.

Smallbone, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, played through the pain barrier during the Saints' 3-2 defeat to Leicester last weekend. But manager Russell Martin confirmed that the 24-year-old will be sidelined for 'a little bit of time' after aggravating the same injury.

“Will Smallbone is out now for a little bit of time, which is really frustrating and disappointing for us,” Martin said at his pre-match press conference.

The news comes as a blow for Southampton, who are already without a number of key players. Winger Ryan Fraser is suspended following his red card against Leicester, while striker Ross Stewart and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu are also out injured.

Southampton's injury woes are particularly concerning ahead of their trip to Manchester City, who are currently sitting top of the Premier League table. The Saints have a poor record against City in recent years, losing their last two games against Pep Guardiola's side by an aggregate score of 8-1.

Despite the challenges facing his team, Martin is confident that Southampton can still get a result against City.

“It’s a tough game, but it’s a game we can go and get something from,” he said. “We’ve got to go there and be brave, and we’ve got to be positive. We’ve got to go there and believe we can win.”

Sugawara's Injury Update

In addition to Smallbone, Southampton are also sweating on the fitness of right-back Yukinari Sugawara. The Japan international was forced off in the second half against Leicester after receiving a late tackle from Jamie Vardy.

Martin revealed that Sugawara is being assessed and that a decision on his availability for the City game will be made in the next 24 hours.

“Yuki had to come off so we’ve managed him a little bit this week or having to manage him,” Martin said. “I think another 24 hours will depend on if he’s ready to start or not. We’ll have to make a decision on that.”

Sugawara has been a key player for Southampton this season, starting all eight of their Premier League games. His absence would be a significant blow for the Saints, particularly given their recent struggles.

Martin's Concerns for Smallbone

Martin also expressed his disappointment over Smallbone's latest setback.

“It’s really frustrating and disappointing for us,” Martin said. “Will is a good player, and he’s a good lad. He works hard, he wants to do well, and he wants to play. It’s a shame for him that he’s picked up another injury. We’ve just got to be patient with him, and we’ve got to make sure that he gets back to full fitness.”

A Frustrating Start to the Season

Southampton are currently 19th in the Premier League table with just one point from eight games. They have yet to win a game this season, and they have lost their last three matches.

The Saints are facing a tough task to avoid relegation this season, and their injury problems are not making things any easier.

However, Martin is confident that his team can turn things around. He remains optimistic about the future, and he believes that Southampton can still achieve their goals this season.

“We’ve got to stay positive,” Martin said. “We’ve got to believe in ourselves. We’ve got to keep working hard, and we’ve got to keep fighting.”

A Battle for Survival

Southampton's next few games will be crucial in their battle to stay up. After facing Manchester City, they have home games against Wolves and Everton.

These games represent an opportunity for the Saints to pick up some vital points. If they can string together a few wins, it will give them a much-needed boost in their fight for survival.

However, with their growing injury list, Southampton's task is becoming increasingly difficult. They will need to show great resilience and determination to overcome their current challenges.

Looking Ahead

The next few weeks will be crucial for Southampton. They need to find a way to turn things around quickly, or they could find themselves in a relegation battle.

With so many players currently out injured, Martin will need to rely on his squad's depth and character to overcome the challenges ahead. The Saints need to find a way to get back to winning ways, and quickly.