Hasenhuttl targets double delight against the Gunners

SOUTHAMPTON boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has challenged his side to beat FA Cup holders Arsenal twice in four days.

The two sides clash in the fourth round of the Cup today at St Mary’s Stadium and meet again at the same venue in the Premier League next Tuesday.

The Saints are bidding to improve on last season’s 11th-placed top-flight finish, but Hasenhuttl said he will not be prioritising either game.

“I’d prefer winning both, to be honest, if it’s possible we’ll do it, but I know it’s tough,” the 53-year-old Austrian said.

“Yes, we have the chance to do it I think. On our day we can beat any team in the league, we’ve shown this, especially at home.

“I think this is the goal we have. Yes, it will be tough like always, but not impossible.”

Hasenhuttl, without nine injured players in midweek, blended youth with experience when making seven changes for his side’s 2-0 third-round win against Shrewsbury.

If Southampton beat Arsenal this afternoon and progress to the fifth round, they will play six matches in 19 days, but Hasenhuttl is not about to sacrifice the Cup.

“It’s a busy time now with a lot of games coming up. We have an FA Cup week, if you want, two games in a week in the Cup,” he said. “It’s a new challenge and in this competition we want to go as far as possible.”

Danny Ings has provided the Saints with a major boost as he is available again after recovering from a hamstring strain and coronavirus.

But eight players remain unavailable, the latest casualty being midfielder Will Smallbone, who has been ruled out for six months with anterior cruciate ligament damage. Jannik Vestergaard (knee), Oriol Romeu (calf ), Moussa Djenepo, Michael Obafemi (both thigh), Nathan Redmond (hip), Nathan Tella and Mohammed Salisu (both muscle strains) are all nursing injuries.

MICK Mccarthy has been announced as Cardiff’s new manager for the remainder of the season.

The former Republic of Ireland, Sunderland and Wolves boss succeeds Neil Harris, who left the club on Thursday following six successive defeats.

Mccarthy, 61, was free to take up the reins of the Sky Bet Championship outfit after he severed ties with Cypriot side APOEL on January 6 following just nine games and two months in charge. Terry Connor joins the Welsh club as assistant manager, while James Rowberry and Andy Dibble continue in their roles as first-team coach and goalkeeping coach respectively.