Schneiderlin suffered the injury at Tottenham last weekendSouthampton manager Ronald Koeman admits it is a blow

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Southampton’s midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury, the manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed.

The Frenchman suffered the problem during the 2-2 draw against Tottenham last weekend, with scans revealing the problem was serious enough to sideline him for up to a month.

Koeman said: “Morgan will be out until the end of the season, for four or five weeks.”

Schneiderlin has played a central role in Saints’ campaign. The 25-year-old’s performances have led him to being linked with a summer move, with Chelsea among his potential suitors, although Southampton insist he is not for sale.

“He is a key player, so it is disappointing,” said Koeman. “It is the ligaments of his left knee and that is a shame because he’s out for the last part of the season.”

Of Schneiderlin’s future, he said: “He is happy but it is up to the player. We like to keep everybody but we know sometimes it’s difficult. But there isn’t any serious bid for the player.”

Southampton head to Sunderland on Saturday looking to maintain hope of European qualification. They are seventh but only a point behind Tottenham and Liverpool.

Koeman also confirmed midfielder Dusan Tadic would miss the trip to the north-east. He said: “He is struggling with some groin problems for a long time and we decide now to put him out of the team because he has to recover and be 100% and, if not, he will struggle next season and we don’t want that.”

Following suspension Victor Wanyama will be available again at the Stadium of Light, so Toby Alderweireld could drop back into defence.

Southampton thumped Sunderland 8-0 at St Mary’s in October but Koeman is not expecting another walk in the park against a team fighting for survival under their new head coach, Dick Advocaat.

“We had unbelievable help from the players of Sunderland,” he said. “It was so strange. We didn’t play really well. We scored great goals, but the game of this Saturday will be totally different.

“Sunderland have two home games and they need two wins. That means a lot of pressure and we have to prepare for that.”