New Cyle Larin update emerges ahead of Southampton v Portsmouth | OneFootball

Southampton are sweating over the fitness of striker Cyle Larin ahead of next Sunday's South Coast derby against Portsmouth at St Mary's.

It has been a strong start to the season for Southampton in the Championship, but after a turbulent international break, concerns are mounting for the Saints ahead of next Sunday's South Coast derby against Portsmouth at St Mary's.

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Southampton have won four and drawn two of their first eight league games, but their four-point deduction imposed as part of their punishment for the Spygate saga means they currently sit 13th in the Championship table, three points from the play-off places.

There may yet be further repercussions from Spygate to come for the Saints as the wait to discover whether head coach Tonda Eckert will be given a ban continues following an FA hearing that took place last week over his misconduct charges.

In addition to the uncertainty over Eckert, Southampton have already suffered one injury blow during the international break after goalkeeper Daniel Peretz withdrew from the Israel squad with a minor groin issue that is expected to keep him out for 10 days, making him a doubt for the clash against Portsmouth next week.

The Saints now have another injury worry to contend with ahead of the meeting with Pompey after Cyle Larin also picked up an injury while on international duty with Canada.

Jesse Marsch provides Cyle Larin injury update that will concern Southampton

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Larin initially joined Southampton on loan from Spanish side Mallorca in February, and after scoring nine goals in 22 appearances in the second half of last season, the move was made permanent this summer.

The 31-year-old's fine form has continued into the start of this season, and he was named the Championship Player of the Month in August after scoring four goals in his side's opening three league games of the campaign.

Larin continued to get on the scoresheet regularly in September, scoring three goals in four games, including netting a double in the Saints' 4-1 victory over Bristol City, to take his tally to seven for the season, which makes him the top scorer in the division.

While Larin has become a firm fan favourite since his arrival at St Mary's earlier this year, he has also played a key role for Canada at international level in recent months, scoring twice for Jesse Marsch's men at this summer's World Cup in the United States as they reached the last 16 of the tournament.

After being called into the squad for the current international break, Larin provided an assist in Canada's 1-0 friendly win over Chile last weekend, but Marsch revealed that the striker is doubtful for Saturday's game against Peru after "hurting his back in the weight room", admitting that it will be a "game-time decision" on whether he will feature.

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It remains to be seen whether Larin's injury will be serious enough to rule him out of the game against Portsmouth next Sunday, but, in response to a post from SaintsExtra on X which shared Marsch's comments, many Southampton supporters expressed their frustration about the extended international break.

If Larin is unavailable for the Pompey clash, it would leave Manchester City loanee Divin Mubama as the Saints' only fit striker, and having offloaded Ross Stewart and Cameron Archer this summer, some fans directed their anger towards the board for the lack of depth in the forward areas.

However, one Southampton supporter suggested that Larin being sent home from Canada duty could be a positive if it ensures he is available for next Sunday, while another claimed that both he and Peretz may be deliberately missing international games in order to avoid sustaining an injury that would rule them out of the derby.