Will Still gives honest Southampton update on Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes after Ipswich Town draw

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Southampton drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon in a clash which featured two of their most in-demand talents.

Ipswich Town drew 1-1 with Southampton in a tightly contested clash between two Championship promotion favourites.

An unfortunate own goal for Taylor Harwood-Bellis came after early Ipswich pressure, before Saints academy product Jay Robinson scored his first senior Southampton goal.

After going into the interval on level terms, both sides pushed for the winner, but to no avail for either Ipswich or Southampton.

Following the stalemate, Saints boss Will Still commented on the footballing futures of Southampton duo Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes, who both featured against the Tractor Boys.

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Will Still comments on Southampton futures of Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes

Since Still’s arrival, both Dibling and Fernandes have been linked with departures from Southampton throughout the summer transfer window.

Everton want to sign Dibling and West Ham have bid £30m for Fernandes, which has since been rejected by the Saints.

Southampton’s demands for Dibling and Fernandes were slammed by Michael Dawson for being too lofty, but the Saints are holding out for their desired valuations.

Fernandes was present in the Saints’ starting XI vs Ipswich, and Dibling was introduced by Still for his first minutes of the season as a substitute in the final ten minutes.

After the game, Still told Sky Sports when asked about the future for Dibling: “It’s a great question, but I haven’t got the answer. I do (want him to stay).

“He’s missed a bit, he’s not got the same physical load that all the others have got, same with Matty (Mateus Fernandes) which is why we had to bring him off.

“But yeah, I want good players and if Ty is here (Tyler Dibling) and Matty is here by the end of it then great, if they’re not, we will work out a way of winning games without them and wish them the best but I have no idea where that’s going right now.

“Ty came on and it wasn’t the easiest situation to come on in and Matty was really positive, in terms of professionalism, they’re spot on and it can only be beneficial to them, by playing and by being positive.

“If other clubs are looking at them, they can see that’s the attitude that they want, I think it’s good for everyone.”

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Jay Robinson could step up for Southampton if Tyler Dibling leaves

After some “nightmare” defending from Southampton, Ipswich were ahead with only four minutes played at Portman Road.

18-year-old Saints starlet Robinson took on the goalscoring responsibility in the absence of Dibling with a well-timed header to bring the scores level.

If the Dibling to Everton saga does materialise and he exits St Mary’s, Still will feel far more confident about calling upon Robinson after he proved his ability to perform at the top Championship level.

Robinson told Sky Sports after the game: “I’m really happy, I just try and enjoy playing football and winning as many games as possible.”

Although Robinson could not inspire a Southampton win before he was withdrawn with just over 20 minutes to play, it is now clear to Still that the English youth international would help soften the blow of Dibling’s departure.