Southampton fans at Leeds United hailed the appearance off the bench of Ross Stewart, now with Saints sailing into the play offs, Russell Martin has revealed just what the plans will be for the striker.
Speaking to the Daily Echo Southampton manager Russell Martin has welcomed the return from injury of Ross Stewart and laid down just what he has planned for the next week or so as Saints take on on West Bromwich Albion over two legs.
Martin feels that Stewart could be a very important player in the play offs and will offer Saints another striking option.
"When we played against Stoke last Saturday, he was with us for an hour and ten minutes that morning, training like a beast and getting worked.
"The whole session was built around him doing everything he needs to do in a game for as long as he possibly could."
"He's really good and he's really open to everything. He's just desperate to be on the pitch and now it's about keeping him ready and upping it again this week.
"But we need to do that to the point where we know he is as controlled as he can be and stays fit."
Martin continued: "The lads applauded him in the dressing room after the game at Leeds.
"He could be a really important player for us in the next three games. He can have a big impact and he's just desperate to be on the pitch.
"He's had such a tough time. I feel so sorry for him because he's such a good guy and such a good pro.
"But now he has a chance to really impact our season at the most important time and I think he will."
Certainly the return of Stewart from a double injury is a big boost, when he arrived from Sunderland the Scotsman was suffering from an Achilles problem which had kept him out since January 2023, but the injury that has kept him out since his couple of appearances for the team back in the Autumn was completely different and hamstring related.
Those fans who have bemoaned the club for buying a crock, have forgotten that, the hamstring injury was out of the blue and a reaction to returning to full time training after so long out.
The danger is expecting too much from Stewart and although I would expect him to be on the bench for both games against West Brom, if there is no adverse reaction to his appearance at Elland Road and the step up in training, I think he will be used sparingly unless really needed, if Saints were to overcome the Baggies they would face a final at Wembley were he could play a much bigger part, if we get there I would not bet against him scoring at some point.