Four ways Southampton can replace injured star Jan Bednarek

Manager Russell Martin was relieved that Poland centre-back Bednarek's knee injury will likely only keep him out until mid-December.

"I can't pretend that we haven't spent half a day worrying about Janny on our time off and then it was better than maybe it could have been," said Martin.

"It's not ideal for the team but it's football and we have a big squad. Whenever someone misses out, there's an opportunity for someone else.

"It's up to them people to take it and they should be excited about that and you never know what you're going to find when that happens. 

"You can come across something that all of a sudden clicks and works. We'll work very hard to make sure we find the right solution."

Russell Martin keen to trim the size of the squad in January and that could mean loan moves for Ronnie Edwards and Sam Amo.

The boss cited positive Shea Charles experience. It sounds particularly on the cards for Edwards, Sam Amo possibly.#SaintsFC

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) November 21, 2024

Saints will be without Bednarek and first-team goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in that time, with league leaders Liverpool at home up first on Sunday.

Martin kept his cards close to his chest about Bednarek's replacement, insisting he could make a life-for-like change or a bigger tactical switch.

He has played the same five in the last three Premier League games - Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Jack Stephens and Ryan Manning.

Here are four of Martin's options to replace Bednarek, who has been key to their defensive statistics and progression with the ball...

Option One - The Logical Choice

The most likely outcome is that Martin moves skipper Stephens across from his hybrid left-back role and into the centre of defence with Harwood-Bellis.

To facilitate this, he could move Walker-Peters across to left back to work in tandem with Ryan Manning and introduce Yukinari Sugawara on the right.

Sugawara has made a positive impact from the bench in the last two matches while Martin wants ready-made relationships across his backline.

This set-up would compile those who have played most frequently together this season and in positions they have looked comfortable in.

Yukinari Sugawara could return to the starting fold (Image: SDE)

Option Two - The Returnee 

The outcome we deem second most likely also involves moving Stephens from his left-back role to partner Harwood-Bellis in central defence.

Martin could leave Walker-Peters on the right where he has been effective and bring Manning back into full-back from his wing role.

The boss declared 30 year old summer signing Ryan Fraser fully fit and ready to play after missing the last three matches through suspension and injury.

The Scot could be asked to play a similar wing-back role as he did in the Championship play-off final, despite struggling since his return to the club. 

Ryan Fraser's inclusion would raise eyebrows in the fan-base (Image: SDE)

Option Three - The Debutant 

Martin alluded to the possibility of making a straight swap to replace Bednarek and leaving the tactical shape around him untouched.

That would mean Walker-Peters on the right ahead of Sugawara, with Stephens remaining on the left with Manning supporting the captain defensively.

Nathan Wood, 22, was signed for £3million from Swansea City this summer, is respected by Martin and is still waiting for his Premier League debut.

He was in last week's squad ahead of Ronnie Edwards, 21, and would be more likely to be selected as that direct Bednarek replacement.

Could Nathan Wood make a Premier League debut? (Image: SDE)

Option Four - The Shock 

There is one wildcard Martin could play to replace Bednarek but it is almost certainly the least likely route he will take.

If he wanted to make a straight swap with no tactical adjustments but he did not deem Wood or Edwards ready to make the step up, what could he do?

Armel Bella-Kotchap has played just 26 minutes in a Carabao Cup game at Cardiff City this season but has proven he can play in the Premier League.

However, he has been left out in the cold by Martin this season and there have been no signs of reintegration. It is hard to imagine this is the solution.

Armel Bella-Kotchap is still signed on for Saints (Image: SDE)

Martin could also opt to make a sweeping change to his tactic and start a regular back four with an attacking wide player like Adam Armstrong on the left.

This would mean he could start Tyler Dibling on the right with Cameron Archer getting attacking support from creative players on both flanks.

How would you line to take on Arne Slot's Reds on Sunday? Let us know in the comments...