Stewart determined to help end winless league run
Ross Stewart marked his first St Mary’s appearance in four months with a goal inside four minutes on Saturday, and is determined to help Southampton end their winless league run.
The striker, plagued by injuries since arriving from Sunderland in 2023, had found some rhythm in his game at the start of the season until another setback in early October curtailed his progress.
Now he’s available for selection again, having featured from the bench in each of Saints’ last three matches, scoring in the 2-1 home defeat to Hull that leaves the team without a victory in seven Championship games.
“It’s great to be back in amongst the boys daily. Being injured is the worst thing in football, along with getting beat,” he said, speaking after the Hull clash.
“Obviously there’s a new manager since I’ve last been fit. It’s a different way of working, but I like to think I’ve come in and, as much as I’m still learning it, I’m feeling good and I want to just keep improving my minutes, keep increasing how much I can help the team.
“It's good to get a goal, and hopefully I can show that I can come on and have an impact. That’s all I want to do. It’s a new way of working, I’m enjoying it and I know the lads are enjoying it. It’s not got the feeling it should do at the minute because results aren’t reflecting how well we’re training.
“It’s the easy thing to say, but ultimately we’ve got to go and win games on the pitch. That’s what we’ll be judged on, so it’s good to be back, but hopefully this feeling can change into a few wins in the days to come.”
When asked if he could now be an option from the start against Sheffield United at St Mary’s on Wednesday night (7.45pm GMT), Stewart was understandably cautious.
“It’s probably a touch too soon at the moment,” he said. “I wouldn’t rule out anything. It’s obviously nice to be back, it’s more minutes in the tank, but I’ve got to keep looking after myself, getting my body ready for each game, and I’ll do that.
“I don’t want to be back where I’ve been far too often (injured). I want to be playing games, I want to help the team, and if it’s a conversation to be had then we’ll have a conversation. I’m ready, I feel good at the minute, I feel fit. I’ve just got to keep building and I’ll look to do that.”
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