Southampton return to Championship action on Tuesday evening as they play host to play-off hopefuls Coventry City.
The South Coasters are now resigned to a play-off campaign after failing to win any of the three games that ensued after the international break.
On Saturday, Russell Martin‘s side failed to break down Blackburn Rovers and were held to a goalless draw at Ewood Park, which all but ended their top two hopes.,
Though, with a clash against Coventry fast approaching, they must quickly put behind the disappointments of the weekend and focus on returning to winning ways.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Martin issued an injury update on one ‘amazing’ star.
Russell Martin issues injury update on Stuart Armstrong
Martin had his pre-Coventry press conference on Monday and was able to issue a positive update on Stuart Armstrong.
“Yeah, Stuart’s back in the squad. Yeah, and James Bree, obviously,” The Saints boss said.
“That’s a really good thing. There’s going to be maybe one or two left out of the squad that will be difficult, for sure. But everyone is fit.
“Everyone is firing and we definitely need a reaction after Saturday.”
Armstrong was absent from the clash at Ewood Park due to concussion which he sustained in the defeat to Ipswich Town last week.
His return will be a huge boost to Southampton, who certainly need to deliver for their fans at St Mary’s on Tuesday following the dull display on the weekend.
Southampton lack creativity without Stuart Armstrong
It was pretty evident that Saints lacked a spark against Rovers having only managed to create an xG (expected goals) of 1.06, as per Sofascore.
The Lancashire outfit have shipped a whopping 66 goals this term and only one team in the division has conceded more (Rotherham United).
So to fail to net against one of the worst defences in the league was a major disappointment and Martin put it down to poor decision-making.
With Armstrong set to return to the squad in mid-week, perhaps his experience, having made over 500 senior appearances throughout his career, will help others to make the right passes in key areas.
The 32-year-old is one of the more senior members of the dressing room and naturally, he’s probably better at choosing the right option more so than the younger players.
So his return against Coventry could massively help Saints’ attacking fluidity and Martin will be hopeful of a more composed approach when attacking.