Ralph Hasenhuttl has sent Ryan Bertrand videos of the Saints training sessions he is missing so he can be prepared for his return after a minor back operation.

The Saints skipper has gone under the knife but is expected back in less than a fortnight.

His absence has meant he has missed out on Hasenhuttl’s opening days in charge of the team, but the manager has come up with a way to keep the England left back involved.

“He was facing an op two days ago – they removed something from his back,” reported Hasenhuttl.

“It went well and I wrote to him yesterday to wish him the best.

“We sent him all the videos of the sessions we did this week so he can learn about the changes to his position – what we’ll expect from him in his position when he is back. 

“He’ll be back to train with us in about 10 to 12 days.”

Bertrand’s absence is a rare blip of bad news ahead of tomorrow’s game against Arsenal.

Though Jack Stephens suffered a knee problem in training, Danny Ings, Shane Long and Cedric Soares have all returned.

“I have good news in that a few players have come back this week. Ings, Long and Cedric trained twice this week with the team, firstly in a smaller group and then the whole squad. It seems they don’t have any problems anymore,” said Hasenhuttl.

“That is good news but bad news is Jack Stephens had a problem with his knee and contact with another guy.

“We can’t tell you at the moment how bad it is but I hope it’s not too bad.”