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Ralph Hasenhuttl says £23k-a-week Southampton player is the fittest he’s ever been, could start in FA Cup tonight
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has waxed lyrical about Saints defender Mohammed Salisu, saying he’s the fittest he’s ever been thus far.
The centre-back has struggled with health and injury problems since completing his £11million transfer from Real Valladolid last summer.
After joining Southampton training in September 2020, Salisu made Hasenhuttl’s matchday squad for the first time in December.
He made six matchday squads for the club in the Premier League before sustaining another injury ahead of the FA Cup fixture against Shrewsbury in January.
Now fit again, Salisu made the bench against Newcastle last time out, and is now in contention to make his debut in Thursday’s FA Cup fifth-round trip to Wolves.
“This is the fittest he ever was, so far. He will be available to start on Thursday, yes,” Hasenhuttl told ahead of the game.
“This was the plan, it didn’t work the first time [against Shrewsbury]. Let’s hope it works now.”
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It’s not been an easy season for Salisu, who has suffered several setbacks and has had to bide his time, but hopefully tonight will see him make his debut.
The Ghanaian burst onto the scene last season with a string of fine performances for Valladolid in La Liga, tallying a total of 31 appearances involving 30 starts.
Salisu was linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, Saints prevailing in the race for his signature.
Hopefully the defender’s Southampton career finally begins tonight, and hopefully he hits the ground running.