Thursday 15 October 2015 15:56, UK
Shane Long will be sidelined for between two and four weeks with an ankle injury, Ronald Koeman has confirmed.
Long sustained the injury while representing the Republic of Ireland against Poland last Sunday.
The 28-year-old scored in Ireland's 1-0 European 2016 qualifier win against Germany last week, securing a play-off spot ahead of Scotland.
In addition to being unavailable for Premier League matches in the upcoming weeks, he is also likely to miss Ireland's Euro qualifying play-off games in November.
Koeman said: "The only injury from the international break is Shane Long with an ankle ligaments problem.
"He will be out for two to four weeks. That's a disappointment but that's part of football. Most of them are happy having qualified, and scoring goals."
Long has scored four goals in eight appearances for Southampton this season, making him the club's second-highest goalscorer behind Sadio Mane in all competitions.
Southampton are ninth in the Premier League as they prepare for Saturday's home match against Leicester.
Koeman is hoping Jordy Clasie will be available for selection on Saturday. The Dutch midfielder has been plagued by injuries since his £8m signing in the summer.
"It's important for him to be 100 per cent physically. If he's okay he brings cleverness to the team, in his passing, in his pressing, that we need," Koeman said.
"I don't think he's ready for 90 minutes but he needs game time to be an important player for us."
