Good news for Saints supporters is that midfielder Oriol Romeu is back in training and over the next few days Saints will assess whether he is fit and able to make a return to action before the end of the season or if it is better to hold him back to next.

Oriol Romeu has been out of the side since the 23rd February when he fractured his ankle after the pitch at Elland Road gave way under him, he was a big miss and in contention for player of that season at that point, indeed earlier in the game he had made one of the best defensive tackles that most watching Saints fans had ever seen and with the game only at 1-0 to Leeds, Romeu was a big part as Saints started to dominate and look for the equaliser, after he went off the team collapsed to a 3-0 defeat.

But he has recovered quicker than expected and now the Saints coaching and medical staff will assess whether he can return to full contact training.

That has meant one to one individual sessions at Staplewood and then scans on the ankle today to see how the ankle has reacted over the last week after those sessions.

If there is no adverse reaction then it is hoped that he can rejoin the main squad with full contact training and perhaps even play in one of the final matches.

But Saints have to weigh up whether it would with relegation potentially all but banished over this weekend, whether the risk of playing the Spaniard outweighs the downsides.

On one hand Ralph will want to prepare for next season, but on the other having Romeu back will boost the team and in these cash strapped times throughout football, if he can push us up the table a place or three in the final weeks that could be worth around £6 million.

Whatever Saints decide it is good to see Romeu back in training and hopefully he will lead Saints to a few more wins, if not this season then next.

Photo: Action Images

halftimeorange added 12:03 - May 7 We could certainly do with his adding much needed steel to our midfield.
0

WestSussexSaint added 13:22 - May 7 Romeu has proven his value to the team this season both when playing and probably more so when missing from the team. He will be a big part of the plans for next season so I see no reason at this stage to rush his return. Far better to have a full preseason where recovery can continue to be managed than pick up an injury in a match this season which disrupts preseason and impacts on the start of next season.

1

felly1 added 16:55 - May 7 Top player. Very glad to hear he's on his way back.
0

underweststand added 15:01 - May 8 Romeu is the only player who brings any real " steel " to our midfield, which although individually skilful is altogether too lightweight when coming up about the " muscle-boys" that some other Prem. sides have in their line-ups. His return can't come soon enough for my liking.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls