In a surprising turn of events, Southampton manager Russell Martin has revealed that first-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu may not see any action for the rest of the season following an Achilles injury sustained during the warm-up ahead of the clash against Preston North End. Prior to this unfortunate setback, Bazunu had been a mainstay in the Southampton lineup, playing every minute of every league game for the Saints.
The absence of Bazunu paved the way for Alex McCarthy to make his first Championship appearance of the season under Martin, and he did not disappoint, contributing to a clean sheet in a commanding 3-0 victory for Southampton. This crucial win propelled the team to within three points of Leeds United in the Championship table, with a game in hand over their rivals, effectively reigniting their hopes of securing an automatic promotion spot.
While Bazunu’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, Martin remains confident in their abilities to continue pushing forward without their first-choice goalkeeper. The manager expressed his support for Bazunu and highlighted the club’s commitment to assisting him in his recovery process.
In addition to Bazunu’s injury, midfielder Flynn Downes also encountered a setback during the match against Preston North End, requiring a halftime substitution due to a minor concern. However, Martin reassured fans that Downes’ injury is not as serious as Bazunu’s and hinted that the midfielder could potentially be cleared to play in the upcoming fixture against Cardiff City.
Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing player well-being, Martin stressed that there is no need to risk exacerbating Downes’ injury and commended Shea Charles for his impactful performance as a substitute in the match. As Southampton navigates through these injury challenges, they remain focused on their ultimate goal of securing a top two spot in the Championship and achieving promotion to the Premier League.
