'Better' - Tonda Eckert rings good news for player Saints need for Wrexham game

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert drops Jack Stephens’ fitness update ahead of the crucial FA Cup tie against Arsenal.

Recently, Southampton caught up with Arsenal’s triple injury boost ahead of the FA Cup clash. Though captain Martin Ødegaard, full-back Jurriën Timber and forward Noni Madueke were all touted to miss the game, they can be lining up against the Saints now.

This news means Southampton must plan even more rigorously for the potential inclusion of Arsenal’s trio. On the other hand, they’ll be hoping for a similar unforeseen boost regarding club captain Jack Stephens.

After an injury scare earlier in the week, there had been no follow‑ups on Stephens’s status. While boss Tonda Eckert has finally addressed the situation, the manager’s update comes with both bad and good news for Southampton.

As quoted by the Daily Echo journalist Alfie House, Tonda Eckert updated on Stephens’ progress, saying: “He’s been getting better day-by-day. There was a little bit of swelling in his ankle but he’s getting better every day.”

Jack Stephens is likely to miss FA Cup clash Vs Arsenal

Ever since Jack Stephens picked up the injury scare in training, the captain’s participation in the FA Cup game has been under scrutiny. Having been immediately taken off after a collision with Nathan Wood, a full recovery in just a few days was always unlikely.

With no regular updates on his status, the centre-back’s presence remained in doubt for some time. Now, Tonda Eckert has confirmed the concern by revealing that Stephens still has swelling in his ankle.

Though Stephens is getting better with each passing day, he is unlikely to make it to the matchday with less than 24 hours until kickoff. Although Tonda Eckert will take his final decision on Stephens just hours before the game, it won’t be surprising if he is rested ahead of the playoff charge.

Jack Stephens has been Southampton’s best centre-back along with Taylor Harwood-Bellis. While it’s a coincidence that he hasn’t played in the FA Cup campaign, Stephens would have started against Arsenal if he were fit.

Stephens’s swollen ankle leaves Southampton to choose between Quarshie and Nathan Wood as his replacement. While both of them have been fringe stars, Wood is more likely to partner with Harwood‑Bellis.

Given Arsenal’s timely injury boost for Ødegaard and Timber, Southampton will miss Stephens’s experience significantly. However, the Saints have no other option than these available names.

Southampton will be full strength for the Wrexham game

While Eckert’s update brings disappointment over Stephens’s unavailability for the Arsenal game, it also comes with a boost.

The manager explicitly mentioned that Stephens is getting better day by day. A couple of days may be too soon for a return, but he is likely to be match fit by the time Southampton face Wrexham.

The Wrexham Vs Southampton clash has long been touted as a playoff decider. While the stakes were already high, matchday 40 results have made the contest even more crucial from Southampton’s perspective.

Both Wrexham and Hull have dropped points recently. Even if Southampton temporarily lie outside the top six, a win against Wrexham would bring them back into the playoff places and put them within touching distance of leapfrogging Hull.

Jack Stephens’ return for such a crucial game comes as a major relief for Southampton. That’s because Wrexham have earned a reputation as comeback kings in the second division.

Having previously defeated Sheffield United in a 2-1 fightback and recently recovered a 2-2 draw after going down 0-2 against West Brom says a lot about Wrexham’s fighting spirit.

In a game like this, a veteran centre‑back like Jack Stephens would be vital to seeing out a win comfortably. Even if they trail at any point, the captain’s presence could inspire the Saints to fight back.

Overall, Jack Stephens’ update hinders his availability against Arsenal. But it nearly confirms his return against Wrexham to bring Southampton back to full strength, unless for new concerns.