How can the return of Moussa Djenepo and Cedric Soares boost Southampton?

Southampton face a massive clash at St Mary’s this weekend as they host Marco Silva’s Everton.

There is just three points between the two in the current Premier League table going into the clash, although Southampton’s goal difference is considerably worse.

We’ve looked at how important the return of Moussa Djenepo and Cedric Soares could be this weekend for the Saints picking up the three points against their counterparts.

Cedric back

Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed in his press conference yesterday that attacker Djenepo and full-back Soares would both be available for selection this weekend.

This comes after the Portuguese defender confirmed that he will be leaving the Saints at the end of the season when his contract expires in the summer.

However, it’s clear that Saints’ defence hasn’t been good enough this season and the return of Cedric could be crucial with Ryan Bertrand still suspended following his red card in the embarrassing 9-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City.

Yan Valery has largely struggled in recent times, so the experience of the Euro winner Cedric coming back could work out well.

Djenepo timely return

The big return will see Djenepo come back into the fold for the start for the first time since he scored the winner against Sheffield United in mid-September.

He has played a key role in both of Saints Premier League wins to date, scoring crucial goals against Sheffield United and Brighton, so his return is a massive boost  for Hasenhuttl with a favourable run of fixtures coming up.

The South-coast club play six of the bottom eight before Christmas, in what is going to be a crucial run of games.

Saints have lacked a real cutting edge for much of the season and have found the net just ten times in the opening eleven league games.