Two days ago Jason Puncheon's career at Saints looked well and truly over but there is another twist.
Its been well documented that over the past 15 months Jason Puncheon has not been a welcome person at St Mary's, than after a spat of petulance after being dropped in November 2010 he fell out with the manager and Chairman meaning that since that time he has only played in one League game for Saints plus a run out in the FA Cup, spending time firstly at Millwall, then Blackpool and latterly at QPR.
Over the wekend he posted a number of less than complimentary posts about Nicola Cortese and the way he is being treated by the Chairman and that looked to be the final act of his Saints career with certain disciplinary measures from the club looking certain and rumours of the PFA becoming involved to try and settle a dispute.
Then out of nowhere today comes the news that the slate has been wiped clean and that Puncheon is now back training with the first team squad and available for selection should the manager so desire.
Puncheon said in his twitter rants that Nigel Adkins wanted him back in the fold and that it was Cortese stopping him, so why the big turnaround from the Chairman ?
Most Saints supporters will concern themselves with one thing and that is how Puncheon plays if he is selected, thats what counts and as we face a vital six point promotion clash with Cardiff, for many thats all that matters and they would almost sell their sould to the devil for anything that helps the promotion bid.
Im left with one though though, and thats if Steve De Ridder hadnt turned out to be so inneffectual over the season and Yago Falque had put in a great display on Monday night instead of looking totally out of his depth, then i dont think we would have seen the headline today "Pleased As Punch" and we wouldnt have seen Jason Puncheon's smiling face on the Official Club website