"A really difficult one" - Pundit issues Ross Stewart claim ahead of Southampton's play-off clash v West Brom | OneFootball

Ross Stewart returned to the Southampton squad in the team’s 2-1 win over Leeds United last weekend.

The Scot has been out with injury since featuring in a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town in November, having damaged his hamstring in what was the third serious injury in the past year and a bit.

It was feared that the forward wouldn’t play again this campaign, but he has returned just in time for the Saints to compete in the play-offs.

He came off the bench in the final 10 minutes of their win over the Whites on the final day of the regular season, and the 27-year-old could now feature in the Saints' push for the final promotion place, as they get set to face West Brom in the play-off semi-finals.

Carlton Palmer issues Ross Stewart, Southampton return verdict

Carlton Palmer believes Southampton must avoid any kind of risk when it comes to Stewart’s fitness given the various issues he’s faced in the last 18 months.

However, the former Saints midfielder has claimed he could have quite an impact in the play-offs if he is able to successfully get back up to speed in time.

“It’s been reported that Ross Stewart is back fit for Southampton,”Palmer told Football League World.

“I think it’s a really difficult one this one.

“I can’t believe that Southampton would rush him if he’s not fully fit, he’s had a terrible time with his Achilles tendon injury (and then a hamstring issue).

“If he is fit and he’s able to play some part in the play-offs that would be fantastic news for Southampton, but you just want him back fit. “You pay that amount of money for a player you just want him back fit.

“You’d have be 110 per cent fit, and then you’re saying how much of an effect will he add.

“Well he’s missed an awful lot of football, and to get back up to speed in a short space of time I think it’s unlikely that he’s going to have a huge bearing on what’s going to happen in the play-offs, but you never know.

“I’ve always said before when he was at Sunderland that I liked him.

“He knows where the back of the net is, he certainly knows where the back of the net is in the Championship, so whatever happens this is a massive boost for Southampton and a massive boost for the player.

“I just hope that he has an injury-free time now and he can get back to doing what he does best, and scoring goals.”

Ross Stewart's difficult time at Southampton

It was reported that Southampton paid £8 million to sign Stewart from Sunderland last summer, but he has made just three league appearances for the Saints since then.

He is still searching for his first league goal for the club, but could find the back of the net at a crucial time by scoring during the team's play-off battle.

Southampton will meet West Brom at The Hawthorns on 12 May in a 2.15pm kick-off, with the reverse fixture set for 17 May at St Mary’s Stadium.

The winner will face either Leeds United or Norwich City in the final at Wembley Stadium on 26 May.

Southampton boss Russell Martin needs to manage Ross Stewart's fitness accordingly

Having Stewart available for the play-offs is a boost to Martin’s attacking options.

However, he needs to manage the striker’s minutes very carefully as there is no point in risking his long-term fitness.

It is likely we will see him earning minutes off the bench in the semi-finals, where he can still have a big impact in limited minutes.

Stewart has proven himself as a danger in the final third, so if he can get back to playing at that level again quickly then this could be a really big boost to the club’s promotion chances.