Russell Martin will be fully focussed on preparing Southampton to face Leicester City next weekend but a number of his players are currently on international duty.
Southampton have far fewer players away representing their respective countries this international break than most in the Premier League, though, with just five of their squad absent.
Will Smallbone would normally be called up by Ireland but has been sidelined through injury since the last international break, whilst Tyler Dibling withdrew from England under-19 duty.
Ben Brereton Diaz has fallen out of favour at Chile due to his poor form and Lesley Ugochukwu lost his place in the France under-21 squad for the same reason.
Therefore, the only players Russell Martin is missing in Southampton training this week are Jan Bednarek, Yukinari Sugawara, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Mateus Fernandes and Sam Amo-Ameyaw.
However, Shea Charles is spending the season out on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and impressed whilst playing for Northern Ireland on Saturday.
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Southampton loanee Shea Charles ‘excellent’ for Northern Ireland
Southampton made the decision to send Charles out on loan this season due to the youngster not being expected to get much game time at St Mary’s.
The Saints paid Manchester City £10.5 million for Charles which could raise as high as £15 million with add-ons, so clearly believe the midfielder has a bright future and he has been impressing on loan at Sheffield Wednesday already this season.
Charles is a stalwart for Northern Ireland and earned his 17th cap at the age of 20 as he started the 0-0 UEFA Nations League draw against Belarus alongside his brother, Pierce, who was making his debut in goal.
The Belfast Telegraph were full of praise for Charles for his performance away in Belarus, rating the Saints loanee a seven out of ten and commenting: “Always involved in setting the pace across an excellent first half for the Ulstermen, albeit one which could not yield a goal.”
Belfast Live also scored Charles a seven, saying: “Key player in first half but drifted out of it late on.”
Charles should return to Southampton ready to stake claim
It will be pleasing for Southampton to see Charles impressing on the international stage as he continues his development away from the club this season.
Charles is playing under former Saints coach Danny Rohl at Sheffield Wednesday and should learn a lot from a progressive manager who has coached at Bayern Munich and the German national side.
Charles did not do enough to earn the trust of Martin last season, but a year of regular senior football will do him the world of good.
The 20-year-old has scored one goal in his six Championship games at Wednesday and has become a shoe-in alongside Barry Bannan at the base of the midfield.
This is positive for Southampton and he should return next summer ready to really push for an increased role at the Saints.