Skip to content

Mario Lemina suffers ankle injury, confirms Mauricio Pellegrino

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Mauricio Pellegrino has praised Mario Lemina, saying he was brought to the club because they didn't have a player like him in the squad

Mario Lemina has sustained an ankle injury and will miss Southampton's match away to Brighton on Sunday, according to his manager Mauricio Pellegrino.

Lemina has impressed since joining from Juventus in the summer, but Southampton will have to manage without him when they travel to the Amex Stadium, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 12.30pm.

Live Nissan Super Sunday

Pellegrino said that Lemina suffered the injury this week, and he was unable to confirm when the Gabon international would return.

Pellegrino said: "I don't know how long he is injured for. He has an ankle injury.

"It's a profile of player that we didn't have in the squad. For this reason, we brought him, but we have players to replace him, maybe in a different way.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23:  Mario Lemina of Southampton and Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Premier League
Image: Lemina joined Southampton from Juventus in the summer for a club-record fee

"When we lose the ball attacking in the final third, we improve a lot in the transition with Mario on the pitch. But every player has different qualities.

"He came from Juventus, playing Champions League. It's easier when you bring this sort of player."

Also See:

One player that Pellegrino will be able to call upon is Sofiane Boufal, who scored a stunning goal to secure three points for the Saints against West Brom last weekend.

However, Boufal followed that up by deliberately celebrating in-front of his manager, apparently in a protest about his lack of game-time.

Southampton's Sofiane Boufal during the Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 21,
Image: Boufal scored his first goal of the season against West Brom, but caused controversy with his celebration

Pellegrino said he has spoken to Boufal about his celebration, but had praise for his player.

He said: "I have spoken with him. It's obviously something private.

"The only thing I can say is I am happy with his reaction on the pitch, how he was playing in the last few games.

"It's something Sofiane has to learn as a young lad - to manage this kind of reaction."

Play Super 6
Play Super 6

Simply predict six correct scores to win the £250k jackpot. Enter your selections for free here.

Around Sky