SOUTHAMPTON ace Keven Schlotterbeck received oxygen in dramatic Championship clash against Preston at Deepdale.
The German centre-back, 29, went down with a first-half injury that led to a stretcher coming out – though he was thankfully able to walk off.
No foul was given as the fixture came to a lengthy stop in the ninth minute.
Schlotterbeck came off appearing to hold his shoulder before Jordan Thompson put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute.
In a huge blow, was not on the Saints bench, leaving Zach Abbott to come on for the majority of the match.
The Lilywhites set up the welcome party for seventh-place Southampton as they looked to close the two-point gap from dead last in the rankings.
Preston have just one win from 15 games, with 11 losses to their name.
Meanwhile, the South Coast outfit hope to reach the lofty heights of last season’s play-offs as they trail leaders by just four points.
Tonda Eckert’s side look to extend their unbeaten run to seven games, but will have to continue without Schlotterbeck.
The second-flight defender has started all 13 games since joining Southampton this Championship season, scoring twice and only seeing one loss.
He joined the Saints from FC Augsburg in late August on a three-year deal as a direct replacement for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who was destined for a move to .
Schlotterbeck, who has three international caps, is the older brother of Nico Schlotterbeck, who stars for both and Germany.
Speaking to the club at his signing, he said: “I’m glad, I’m happy. I have big ambitions to go to the field, win games and go for it this year.
“I think my football vision is the same, so we get the chance to get it together and now I’m here, happy to be here, and attack this year in the .”
