Southampton striker Ross Stewart has suffered another injury setback just as he appeared to be rediscovering his form under Will Still.
The 28-year-old limped off in the second half of the Saints’ 1-1 draw with Derby County, leaving supporters fearing the worst ahead of his latest scan.
Another Setback for the Scottish Forward
Stewart had looked to have reignited his Southampton career after netting twice in the midweek win over Sheffield United, but his revival has been halted by a hamstring issue sustained against Derby.
Still confirmed after the match that the injury was being treated with caution.
“If Roscoe hadn’t felt anything, he probably would have kept going,” said the Southampton boss. “He’s done something to his hamstring. I’m not quite sure what it is or how bad it is. We’ll have to wait and see, but I think that cost us quite a lot. Roscoe was in really good form.”
The former Sunderland striker, who joined Southampton in 2023 for a substantial fee, has endured a torrid run with injuries since arriving at St Mary’s. According to club data, Stewart has missed significant chunks of the past three campaigns due to hamstring and knee problems, limiting him to just 27 appearances since signing.
During his time with Sunderland, Stewart established himself as one of the EFL’s most clinical finishers, scoring 40 goals across two seasons and earning promotion to the Championship in 2022. His form attracted Premier League interest before his switch to the south coast, but a series of setbacks has since prevented him from making a consistent impact.
Southampton Searching for Stability
The Saints currently sit 17th in the Championship with only two wins from their opening nine matches. Their inability to turn draws into victories has frustrated Still, who now faces further disruption to his attacking options.
Adam Armstrong, Cameron Archer, and teenager Damion Downs will be among those competing to fill the void left by Stewart during the international break. While Armstrong has been a reliable performer in the second tier, Still’s system has often depended on Stewart’s physical presence and link-up play to bring others into the game.
Writer’s View
This latest injury is a bitter blow both for Stewart and Southampton. After finally finding momentum, his absence leaves Still without his main focal point up front at a time when stability is needed most.
The former Sunderland man’s quality has never been in question, but his availability continues to define his time at St Mary’s. For Southampton to progress, they’ll need someone to step up quickly — or risk another season slipping into frustration.
