Southampton's Walker-Peters and Fraser closing in on return from injury

Saints manager Russell Martin hopes to have Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Fraser available again in the coming weeks

Southampton manager Russell Martin says injured duo Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Fraser are close to making a return.

Both missed the 4-3 win over Birmingham City on Saturday and will not be involved in Wednesday's Championship clash with Preston North End.

Out of the two, Martin said that Walker-Peters appeared to be the closest to returning.

"The Preston game may come a bit too early for him but we're hopeful to have him for the weekend," he added.

The former Tottenham man suffered a leg injury at Anfield in Southampton's FA Cup defeat to Liverpool on 28 February.

Fraser remains a doubt for a longer period following an knee injury he suffered in Saints' 2-1 defeat to Millwall on 24 February.

After Wednesday night's game against Preston, Saints host Sunderland on 9 March but then do not play again until 29 March, with their scheduled game against Leicester being moved due to the Foxes FA Cup involvement, and the international break.

Martin said the gap between matches would help injured players in their return to action.

"With the Leicester game being delayed it suits him (Fraser)," Martin said.

"He'll miss one games less and we're hopeful he'll be back for the Middlesbrough game," he added.