Southampton: Russell Martin reveals Ross Stewart plans for West Brom play-off clash | OneFootball

Southampton manager Russell Martin has laid out his plans for summer signing Ross Stewart following his return from injury against Leeds United on Saturday.

The past 16 months of the striker's career has been as bad as you could expect it to be.

A major Achilles injury that he suffered when playing for Sunderland against Fulham, in January 2023, and then another issue, this time with his hamstring, following his second appearance for Southampton, just over two weeks on from his return from the former injury; things don't get much worse for professional athletes.

So, after only making two appearances over almost a year and a half, Stewart finally made what is hoped to be his proper comeback, and it has come just in time.

Southampton face West Bromwich Albion in the play-offs, giving them one last chance of promotion this season. The Scotsman has a very good record in the play-offs; one that Martin hopes will help the team in their post-season run.

The boss has revealed what the next steps are for Stewart to get him fully prepared for the play-offs.

Russell Martin lays out Ross Stewart plans

Martin has said that there will be a "step up" in Stewart's training this week, ahead of their trip to the Hawthorns on Sunday, as per the Daily Echo.

He also praised the 27-year-old for the efforts that he has put in to be fit in time for this stage of the season.

"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," said the manager.

"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 added: "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."

Ross Stewart's play-off acumen is a boost for Southampton

The post-season can be a weird and wonderful place, and it's always helpful to have people in the dressing room who have been there and experienced it first-hand. There isn't an abundance of that in the Saints' dressing room, but Stewart provides it.

His record in the play-offs is unquestionable. He's scored six times in his last eight games at this stage of a season, including one of Sunderland's goals in their win over Wycombe Wanderers to get them promoted to the second tier, two seasons ago.

The form of Adam Armstrong, and the 27-year-old's not totally reliable health, will mean that Stewart can't be expected to start the first leg, at least. That experience off the bench could be a valuable asset for Southampton if things get tight, as they so often do.