'A big concern': EFL pundit worried by news he's heard after Southampton's win over Preston North End

A big concern has emerged at Southampton following their victory over Preston North End that could impact their automatic promotion hopes.

Southampton were written off completely in the automatic promotion race following the defeat to Ipswich Town. A goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers then placed a final nail in the coffin, or so people thought.

The Saints have since recorded three consecutive victories at St Marys over Coventry City, Watford and Preston North End while their rivals have stuttered.

A comfortable 3-0 win over Preston North End on Tuesday night has moved Russell Martin‘s men to within four points of second-place Leicester City with a game in hand.

Of the four teams chasing promotion to the Premier League, Southampton are the most in-form, so there is every reason to believe they can finish in the top two, although one issue has just damaged their chances.

Russell Martin’s big concern at Southampton

On Tuesday night, Southampton were preparing for their match against Preston and in the warm-up, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu injured his Achilles.

The 22-year-old was withdrawn from the starting XI and replaced by veteran Alex McCarthy, despite initially being left out of the team sheet in place of Joe Lumley.

While that understandably left Lumley aggrieved, Martin also revealed that Bazunu’s injury was serious and he’d play no further part this season.

The former Manchester City man is highly rated at St Mary’s, and while he’s come under scrutiny for making errors, he has played every minute of their Championship campaign.

Having made incredible strides this term, pundit Sam Parkin believes Bazunu’s injury is a “big concern” for the Saints.

“My biggest concern, getting in my car last night having seen them last night, Bazunu is out for the season now,” Parkin told the What the EFL?! podcast. “McCarthy wasn’t even on the bench last night, Joe Lumley was on the bench.

“All of a sudden, they put the team sheet up on the big screen and it’s McCarthy who is in essence the number three this season was catapulted into starting the game last night.

Parkin continued: “Not everyone loves Bazunu and I think early part of the season he was a big problem, big problem when they were having serious teething issues.

“But he’s been pretty good since then and I just think there has to be someone who’s really comfortable.

“Wants to take the ball, really calm in possession and wants to build from the back.

“And I don’t think Lumley or McCarthy are that goalkeeper.

“So, season ending injury, that is a big concern I think for them.”

Gavin Bazunu’s importance to Southampton

Bazunu is a crucial cog in Martin’s style. He requires his goalkeeper to be confident and calm in possession while demonstrating an ability to play the ball out, short or long.

Although the Irishman ranks bottom in the Championship for goals prevented (-11.52), as per Sofascore, he is one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the division.

Gavin Bazunu’s ball-playing statistics

Bazunu often kick-starts attacks for the South Coasters with his passing range and it is concerning that he’s now sidelined as Lumley or McCarthy can’t replicate his ability.

This could impact Southampton playing out from the back in the coming matches unless Martin tells his goalkeeper to keep it simple.