Southampton boss Mark Hughes believes Charlie Austin is rediscovering his best form.

Hughes has striking issues to contend with ahead of tomorrow's daunting trip to Liverpool.

Danny Ings is unavailable as he is on loan from the Reds ahead of his moving being made permanent next summer, while Manolo Gabbiadini is a doubt after pulling up in training yesterday with a hamstring injury.

Hughes said: “During the week leading up to any game you are looking at how people are in training and what their demeanour is and how they are training. Sometimes you can see a little bit of a spark in some players where you sense they are ready to come back into the fold.

“There are a number of players like that and Charlie is included in that group.

“I have watched his work this week and his application and his work around the pitch and he looks in a better place.

“He was struggling for form earlier in the season and going out of the team and maybe coming back is maybe a good option for us.

“We will look at all situations and if I feel it is better we go with certain individuals then what they are doing on the training ground comes into my thinking in terms of who I go with."