Southampton dealt major blow ahead of Leeds United visit with star man set to miss Whites clash

Saints captain and England international James Ward-Prowse was eventually shown a straight red card in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Chelsea after catching Jorginho with a late challenge 13 minutes from time.

Ward-Prowse was initially only booked by referee Martin Atkinson but the yellow card became a red after the intervention of the game's video assistant referee Mike Dean who instructed Atkinson to check the tackle on his monitor.

Atkinson returned to give Ward-Prowse his marching orders and the Saints captain will now face a three-game ban, unless the Saints are successful if choosing to appeal to the decision with the FA.

Leeds will face Southampton in both sides' first game back after the October international break in a 3pm kick-off at St Mary's on Saturday, October 16.

Marcelo Bielsa's Whites jumped above the Saints via Saturday's 1-0 win at home to Watford which has left Leeds 16th, three points clear of the drop zone and two points ahead of fourth-bottom Southampton - the team below them.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's side are still seeking their first win of the new following four draws and three defeats.

Ward-Prowse had put the Saints level at 1-1 when netting a penalty against Chelsea but the Blues netted twice in the final 13 minutes following his dismissal.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins