Southampton boss Mark Hughes feels Danny Ings can help bring a cutting edge back to the team when he returns to action at Wolves.

Ings had scored twice in his last two appearances, but was unavailable for selection against Liverpool under the terms of his season-long loan deal.

Without him, the Saints went down 3-0 at Anfield.

The 26-year-old forward switched to St Mary’s Stadium in a bid for more regular first-team opportunities.

Hughes is confident the former Burnley man, who had been carrying a foot problem caused by a bad blister, can add another dimension to the Saints attack at Molinuex.

“He was a loss for us last week clearly, because Danny has brought a little bit of a cutting edge in terms of what he brings at the top end of the pitch,” the Southampton manager said at a press conference.

“It is also his ball retention and ability to bring people into the game more, which was something we probably lacked last weekend.

“You are always going to miss a player of the quality of Danny, irrespective of who comes in.”

Hughes added: “These have probably been the best two weeks of training (for him) leading into a game and he is raring to go.

“Danny was scoring goals before, so if he has been doing it without being at quite the level of fitness which we know he is capable of, you would like to think as he gets stronger and understands more what we are trying to do then the better integrated and more impact he will have for us.”

While Ings comes back in, Hughes confirmed forward Shane Long was a major doubt following a flare up of a toe problem which has seen him miss training all week.

Moi Elyounoussi and Manolo Gabbiadini, though, should both be available again after their own fitness issues.

Despite the disappointment of last weekend’s result at Anfield, Hughes is confident of an improved display against a Wolves side enjoying their return to the Premier League.

“There are certain games where you have to hold your hands up, take your medicine and move on to the next one,” the Saints boss said.

“We are a work in progress and still trying to do the right things.”