Ronald Koeman is facing a fresh selection crisis ahead of Saturday’s game against Everton.

The Saints boss already has Florin Gardos, Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama suspended and long term absentees Jack Cork, Jay Rodriguez and Sam Gallagher missing.

But he could also be without injured trio Steven Davis, Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic, while Jake Hesketh is also sidelined.

Koeman called a number of under-21 players into his training session this morning and some of them are likely to be in the squad at the weekend, with Harrison Reed looking likely for a first start for the club.

Koeman, whose side are aiming to break a run of five defeats on the spin against Everton at St Mary’s, said: “You know that we have three players suspended – Florin Gardos after the red card, Morgan and Victor.

“We have some injuries, long ones like Jay Rodriguez, Sam Gallagher and Jack Cork.

“Dusan Tadic will not be available for this Saturday.

“Two players a little bit more doubtful for this Saturday are Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle.

“The problem for Tadic is tiredness built up about playing a lot.

“That’s the difference between outside and playing in the Premier League.

“These are players who need normally a break and they don’t have a break and a little bit the same for Steven Davis and the same for Graziano Pelle.

“We have to understand that we have more international players than the club had ever in the past and you have to get used to that problem.

“That is in my opinion one of the difficulties for us and one of the problems. It’s a new situation.

“With a lot of changes in the team that’s part of football and it’s a little bit the problem.”

The injuries are all as a result of fatigue and Koeman knows he only risks long term problems if he tries to keep playing them.

“It’s a groin injury, a small hamstring injury - all these injuries are not for a long period but that means you go on and you go on and sometimes you come in a moment that you are not fresh,” said Koeman.

“It’s sometimes difficult.

“The team was doing well after a good start to the season and after a few weeks disappointed about the results.

“Not the way we lost against Burnley or Man United but very disappointed about the way we lost against Sheffield because that was the first time to be disappointed about the team to have the fight, the spirit, the aggressive play what we didn’t show.

“Sheffield showed us how you have to deal and to beat a Premier League club when you are a League One team.

“That message we need it for this Saturday.”