Ronald Koeman backs Shane Long to lead Southampton line at Manchester City

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has backed Shane Long to lead the Saints' line in Saturday's Premier League match against Manchester City in the absence of Graziano Pelle.

Top-scorer Pelle picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Stoke City, so will have to miss Southampton's trip to the Etihad.

Long did play the full 90 minutes against the Potters, but he could move into a more central position with Pelle missing.

Speaking of Pelle not being available, Koeman told reporters: "We can certainly cope. If we couldn't I would be doing something wrong, because we're only talking about one player in the squad.

"Shane's a different player, with different qualities but also a very dangerous front player. He was a long time injured, he played 90 minutes last weekend and he will start again."

Saturday's start against Stoke was Long's first in the Premier League since August, and he has not scored since the opening weekend of the season at Newcastle United.