Thursday 7 January 2016 15:35, UK
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has confirmed Sadio Mane will play against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup this weekend and dismissed reports the forward could leave the club this month.
Mane was left out of the starting line-up for the 1-0 defeat to Norwich last weekend, appearing as an 80th-minute substitute after arriving late to a team meeting.
But Koeman said the matter has been dealt with and insisted both Mane and Victor Wanyama, who was sent off against the Canaries, remain committed to the cause on the south coast.
"What happened last week, it gave the press something to write about," he said. "Sadio's situation is no different to last week. He is a Southampton player, he likes to play for Southampton, he is not for sale.
"We spoke to him. I punished him because we have rules in the team and he was late, it was a big mistake. He said sorry to everybody and that's now behind us.
"The rest is just internal discussions about how we handle this kind of situation. He will start Saturday no problem.
"It's too easy to mention after the mistake of Sadio or Victor to say they want to move. That's too easy. It's not like that."
Koeman said he would have no hesitation in banishing any player to the stands if he agitated for a move away.
"The players know their position in the club and what we think of the players, I don't have doubt about that.
"If there is any player who thinks if his behaviour is not good that makes it easier for him, then I will put the player in the stands until the end of the contract because that's the not the way you do your job as a footballer."
Meanwhile, England goalkeeper Fraser Forster is closing on a return after nine months out recovering from knee surgery - but Koeman said Saturday's FA Cup clash will come too soon.
"First of all we're very pleased Fraser played his first game in nine months, on a good level," said Koeman, after Forster featured for Saints' U21s.
"This weekend is too soon in our opinion, and he will play again with the under-21s on Monday.
"Then after that we will have discussions about what we have to do about our goalkeepers and finally the best will start. But that will start after Monday."
