Southampton head coach Russell Martin has confirmed that summer signing Ross Stewart is back in training after a devastating campaign on the sidelines so far.
The Scotland international moved to the St. Mary’s Stadium during the summer transfer window for an initial £8 million, although this will reportedly rise to £12 million with add-ons. However, the frontman has hardly featured so far.
Stewart has been on the pitch this term for the Saints for merely 17 minutes in total, having been injured for seven months before even coming to Southampton in the first place. The striker returned before Christmas only to be ruled out once more after two appearances, with head coach Russell Martin claiming that it was unlikely that Stewart would be back in the team before next season.
Nevertheless, EURO 2024 kicks off this summer and the 27-year-old has shown fierce determination with his rehabilitation to return to training as quickly as possible to try to finish the season strongly on the south coast. This way, he will be in contention for Scotland’s final squad.
⏪ #ThrowbackThursday to Ross Stewart's first goal for the Lads 🏴 #SAFC
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 24, 2022
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Middlesbrough, Martin revealed that Stewart is back on the grass but has stated that a recall to action won’t be an immediate one [quotes via Southampton FC News]:
“Big Ross Stewart is back on the grass doing light work and will slowly be reintegrated back into the group,” he said.
“Like I’ve said before, we shouldn’t expect too much from him. It’s great to have him back in amongst things.”
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Southampton take on Boro tomorrow night, hoping to keep themselves alive in the race for automatic promotion. Martin’s side currently sit in fourth place, nine points behind Leicester City in second but with a game in hand.
Writer’s View
Signing Stewart when they did was a strange deal for Southampton. The centre-forward had picked up a long-term injury at Sunderland in January 2023 and spent almost a full calendar year sidelined, only to move to the Saints midway through his recovery.
There is no doubt that Stewart can be a top number ‘9’, based on his performances at the Stadium of Light in which he scored 40 goals in 80 matches for the Black Cats. Perhaps Martin will see this version of Stewart next season.
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