Southampton are preparing for their Championship play-off showdown against Leeds United and Russell Martin must consider unleashing one player.
A 46-game Championship season and two play-off semi-final matches all boil down to this moment for Southampton and Leeds United.
With a place in the Premier League and the biggest prize in world football at stake, the Saints will be looking to get the better of the Whites for a third time after beating them twice in the league.
The nerves and tension are palpable ahead of a pulsating occasion at Wembley Stadium, with Russell Martin claiming he’s a “huge failure” if he doesn’t take Southampton back to the promised land.
Ahead of such a huge matchup, Martin has been boosted by the news that one of his long-term absentees could be fit to play.
Russell Martin issues positive Ross Stewart injury update
Ross Stewart was captured for £8 million from Sunderland last summer.
The 27-year-old was expected to replicate the goal-scoring form that saw him fire 40 goals in 80 appearances for the Black Cats, but unfortunately, he’s been sidelined for most of the season with a hamstring injury shortly after recovering from Achilles surgery.
Stewart did return in the first leg of their semi-final against West Brom, coming off the bench for 18 minutes. However, he did pick up a knock and was then an unused substitute in the second leg.
Saints romped to a 3-0 victory over the Baggies to book their place in the final and now, Martin has confirmed he’s fit for the final, which is a huge boost to their chances of winning.
Stewart will have a point to prove and after a frustrating campaign at St Mary’s, the Scottish striker will be desperate to fire his side back into the top flight.
Russell Martin must unleash Ross Stewart vs Leeds, he’s a big game player
Whether he chooses to start him or unleashes him from the bench, Stewart must play some part at Wembley.
During his time at Sunderland, supporters labelled him the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ in reference to his Scottish heritage and comparisons with prolific former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
Stewart also shared one more comparison with Drogba; an ability to produce in the big game moments and when it mattered.
In the 2021/22 campaign for the Black Cats, the “excellent” finisher plundered 24 goals in 46 League One appearances, including a strike in the play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers.
He then endured an injury-troubled 2022/23 campaign, but still produced an incredible 10 goals in 13 appearances for the club, evincing his ability to pop up when it mattered, scoring winners against Bristol City and Stoke City.
Stewart is an old-fashioned striker; aerially dominant and physically imposing. He tends to pop up in the right place at the right time and he could be the man to step up for Martin on the Wembley stage.