Saints forward Ings escapes serious knee injury

Ings scored his fifth league goal this season in Sunday’s 4-3 win over Aston Villa but was substituted just before full-time after a collision with midfielder Trezeguet.

Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuettl said after the match that the injury to Ings’ left knee “did not look good” but the club said on Monday that early indications suggest the striker will be back sooner than first thought.

“After having the scan on Sunday night, the club conducted a further assessment of Ings this morning and will continue to monitor him throughout the week,” Saints said in a statement.

Hasenhuettl is also sweating over the fitness of defenders Ryan Bertrand and Jan Bednarek, who were taken off injured.