I’ll keep Marco OUTOVIT
After clashing once already this season, Hughes settles for trying to keep his ex-striker quiet today
MARK HUGHES has already clashed once with his old striker Marko Arnautovic this season – and would prefer simply to keep him quiet today.
The Austria frontman angered the former Stoke boss with his gestures to the crowd when West Ham won 3-0 at the bet365 Stadium in December – a result which pushed Hughes closer to the sack in the Potteries.
Arnautovic was substituted shortly after scoring the Hammers’ second goal, and Hughes scowled: “He was doing all sorts by the end and did well to get back to the dressing room safely.”
But the Southampton chief still takes pride in his contribution to Arnie’s growing reputation as a Premier League match-winner after being forced to sell him last summer.
Hughes said: “I didn’t want to sell him – he was arguably our most effective attacking player and a big influence on Stoke’s ability to create chances right up until he left.
“He made a decision that he wanted to go. We could have kept him, but he made it clear that wasn’t the option he wanted to pursue.
“In fairness, he had given us four good years. He was one of my first signings at Stoke – we bought him for very little money, around £2.5million, and his transfer fee when he left was well in excess of £20m.
“He gave the club a very good return, both in terms of performance and financial deal.”
Striker Charlie Austin will return to the Saints’ squad after more than three months out with a torn hamstring, but he is likely to start on the bench.
And England defender Ryan Bertrand, who was released from international duty with a tight hamstring, is also expected to be fit.