Whites boss Jesse Marsch had seven first team players missing for last weekend’s Premier League opener at home to Wolves for which Liam Cooper, Luis Sinisterra, Adam Forshaw, Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas were all injured in addition to Dan James being suspended.
However, Cooper, Sinisterra and Forshaw have all returned to training this week and the trio are now back in contention to feature in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at St Mary’s for which James is also back available having completed a three-game ban.
Whites club captain Cooper has not played since last season due to an Achilles issue picked up whilst training on a treadmill this summer. Sinisterra injured his hamstring in last month’s pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace in Australia in which Forshaw tweaked his knee.
Marsch is also hoping to have both Ayling and Firpo back within the next few weeks upon their recoveries from a knock and knee surgery respectively and the Whites head coach also provided positive updates about Dallas and young keeper Dani van den Heuvel.
Dallas is continuing his recovery from a femoral fracture whilst young Dutch stopper van den Heuvel is making good progress having injured his neck in a car accident.
Check out the latest Premier League transfer speculation below...
7. Magpies in Chelsea talks
Newcastle United are looking to the loan market as they aim to bring in a striker and winger before the end of the transfer window. In particular, the Magpies have been in talks with Chelsea over the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Conor Gallagher. Armando Broja also remains on their radar. (iNews) | Getty Images
8. Whites weigh up Wagner
Leeds United are weighing up a move for Philadelphia Union left back Kai Wagner. The Whites believe they could land the defender for around £2.5 million, but face competition from the likes of Benfica and Dinamo Zagreb. (Daily Mail) | Getty Images
9. Leeds keen on Watford pair
Leeds United are lining up a “double hit” to sign Watford duo Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr. The Whites are aiming to bring in the former on loan, with the latter the target of a potential £25 million move. (TuttoMercatoWeb) | Getty Images
10. No offer for Sarr yet
Despite widespread speculation, however, the Whites are yet to launch any kind of proposal to sign Sarr - or ex-Manchester United star Juan Mata, who has also been linked with a move to Elland Road. (Fabrizio Romano) | Getty Images