Southampton fans celebrated Ross Stewart’s impactful substitution at Leeds United. Now, with Saints heading into the playoffs, Russell Martin unveils the striker’s role in their strategy.
In an interview with the Daily Echo, Southampton manager Russell Martin expressed his satisfaction with Ross Stewart’s return from injury and outlined the plans for the striker in the upcoming playoffs against West Bromwich Albion. Martin emphasized Stewart’s importance as an additional striking option for Saints and praised his commitment during training sessions, noting that the team has tailored sessions to ensure Stewart’s readiness and fitness.
Martin highlighted Stewart’s positive reception from teammates after his appearance off the bench against Leeds United, underlining his potential to make a significant impact in the playoffs. Despite Stewart’s previous injury setbacks, Martin is confident in his ability to contribute to the team during this crucial period.
Stewart’s return from a double injury, including an Achilles problem and a hamstring injury, provides a significant boost to the squad. While some fans may have expressed concerns about Stewart’s fitness, Martin emphasized that the hamstring injury was unforeseen and not indicative of his overall condition.
While Stewart is expected to feature on the bench for both legs against West Brom, Martin intends to utilize him cautiously, prioritizing his long-term fitness. However, if Southampton advances to the final at Wembley, Stewart could play a more prominent role, with Martin expressing confidence in his goal-scoring ability if called upon.