Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana will be sidelined at the start of the Premier League season due to an injury, confirmed head coach Russell Martin.

The Ghanaian international is expected to be out for three to four weeks, meaning he will miss Southampton’s opening match against Newcastle United and the subsequent home game against Nottingham Forest.

Sulemana sustained the injury during a pre-season friendly against Oxford United and was seen leaving the stadium with a protective boot.

His absence leaves Southampton with a thin selection of wingers, with only Sam Edozie and Sam Amo-Ameyaw fully fit.

However, Ben Brereton Diaz, Adam Armstrong, and Tyler Dibling are available for wider roles.

The club is looking for reinforcements, considering a potential loan move for Ryan Fraser and showing interest in Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Martin also updated on French forward Sekou Mara, who was substituted during the Oxford match, and expects Mara to return by Wednesday.

In a statement to the Daily Echo, Martin said: “Kamaldeen will be out for three weeks. Sekou should be back by Wednesday.”

Sulemana joined Southampton in February 2023 for a €25 million fee, becoming the club’s record signing.