Southampton secured promotion from the Championship in 2023/24 by beating Leeds United in the play-off final.

In a bid to avoid the drop in the upcoming campaign, Russell Martin and co. have been working hard to bring in several new names.

Ben Brereton Diaz is Southampton’s latest signing, and another striker is said to be wanted at St Mary’s.

Borussia Dortmund centre-forward Youssoufa Moukoko has been linked, while reinforcements elsewhere have also been mooted.

The Saints will also have to pay £17m for Bright Osayi-Samuel, who has been impressing in Turkey with Fenerbahce.

Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg will set Southampton back £20m if they wish to continue their pursuit of the centre-back.

Russell Martin provides Kamaldeen Sulemana injury update

Kamaldeen Sulemana was brought to St Mary’s from Stade Rennais in January 2023.

The winger made 26 appearances during Southampton’s promotion-winning season but his campaign was marred by injury.

Sulemana has since returned to first-team training and looked sharp in pre-season so far.

As a result, it was quite concerning when during the club’s pre-season defeat to Oxford United on July 31st, he went off injured.

To make matters worse, the 22-year-old was spotted in a protective boot after the game.

However, Martin has since allayed fears that Sulemana will be on the sidelines for too long.

The Saints manager was asked for an update on Sekou Mara and Sulemana post-match and was somewhat upbeat, as per the Daily Echo.

He said: “They were both contacts. Hopefully, they’re not too bad. They’re both ankle rolls.

“They’re both walking out of here and they both walked off the pitch, so hopefully they’ll be okay.”

New Southampton signing may need to step up

While Martin is hopeful Mara and Sulemana will not be sidelined for too long, their return timeline is currently unknown.

Southampton are next in action on Saturday, August 3rd, against Millwall – a tie both players are expected to miss.

The South Coast outfit then have meetings with Lazio and Getafe to round out their pre-season.

Southampton’s Premier League campaign begins against Newcastle United on August 17th and Martin may be forced to make do with Mara and Sulemana.

The pair have been key figures in Southampton’s attack this summer but a new summer signing could step up in their absence.

Brereton Diaz is a natural left-winger so may be thrust straight into the Southampton eleven in place of Sulemana.

However, the 25-year-old can also be used as a centre-forward – scoring four in 14 from this position in 2023/24.

In turn, Martin could opt to start the Chillie International up front if Mara’s injury turns out to be a serious one.