Davis hits out at Osvaldo

Kelvin Davis launched a thinly veiled attack on Southampton team-mate Pablo Daniel Osvaldo after the 2-0 FA Cup win over Yeovil Town.

Osvaldo was absent from Southampton’s matchday squad at St Mary’s on Saturday, having been suspended by the club for two weeks on Thursday following a training-ground incident.

Although details of Osvaldo’s indiscretion have not been officially released, the striker is reported to have physically assaulted colleague Jose Fonte.

And on Friday evening, a picture of Fonte sporting a black eye emerged on an Instagram account purporting to belong to the defender, accompanied by the message: “Appreciate everyone’s concern and support but it takes a lot more then a bruised eye to stop me!”

While not explicitly referring to Osvaldo, Southampton club captain Davis has made it clear that team spirit must not be damaged by the actions of individuals, seemingly ruling out suggestions that the Argentinian will be welcomed back into the dressing room when his ban has been served.

Speaking after the Yeovil game, the veteran goalkeeper said: “We’ve said for a long time that we have always had a good team spirit and a good changing room.

“That can’t change and if anyone doesn’t want to be involved in that then they are not welcome.”

Davis added: “Obviously what has happened has happened.

“As a team, as a squad, as a club, we are looking forward and we are very much together.

“We showed that again today and it is something we just want to move on from.

“Our dressing room is as solid as it has ever been and it will continue to be so.”