Southampton’s Boss Ivan Juric Has confirmed Skipper Faces Another Month On Sidelines

Stephens sustained an injury in training while serving a four-game ban for a red card he received against Chelsea in December.

Poland international Jan Bednarek will continue to serve as skipper in Stephens’ absence, having worn the armband in the last three games.

Midfielder Will Smallbone will undergo a fitness test on Friday to determine if he is ready to return to the squad to face Brentford on Saturday.

The academy graduate made his return to fitness against the Foxes but suffered an injury in that game and played through the pain barrier.

Former boss Russell Martin indicated the 24-year-old could return around Christmas but Juric could not guarantee his fitness ahead of Southampton’s first game of 2025.

Asked for an update on both players, Juric told the Daily Echo: “Smallbone is training and we will decide tomorrow if we will bring him on the bench or not.

“The doctors and medical staff are scared a little bit about the injury that he had. Jack Stephens is out for another four weeks, I think.”

Smallbone has been pictured back in training at Staplewood and could be important with Mateus Fernandes suspended for this weekend.

The Portuguese midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at Crystal Palace last weekend, earning him a one-game ban.

Southampton could also be without Flynn Downes. The midfielder is also set for a fitness test having missed training this week.

The former West Ham midfielder suffered a dead leg against his former club on Boxing Day, forcing him to miss the 2-1 defeat to Palace.

Juric confirmed that Southampton have not sustained any further injuries during his first full week of working with the squad.