Southampton boss Russell Martin is hopeful that injured summer addition Ross Stewart will be able to play “very, very soon” as his health progresses.
Stewart, 27, is yet to make his Saints debut after joining on deadline day from Championship rivals Sunderland.
Following Achilles surgery in January, the Scotland international has been out for the majority of 2023, despite scoring 10 league goals in 13 games.
Stewart is back on the grass at Staplewood, and the Daily Echo believes he is undertaking some first-team work as well as individual training.
Martin had ruled him out of all games up to and including Rotherham, but this week provided an encouraging update on the six-foot-two-inch attacker.
“He’s back on the grass and has been for a few weeks, so he’s integrating into the squad slowly but surely,” he told the Daily Echo.
“Hopefully, we’ll see him sooner rather than later – I can’t give you a specific time frame because these things are always difficult.”
“It is nice to see the big man back out on grass, it’s been good and really nice to see him touching the ball and smiling,” he said.
“He’s a really good character so, hopefully, we will get him back on the pitch and you’ll see him involved very, very soon.”
Stewart, who has 40 goals in 80 Sunderland appearances, will compete with current leaders Che Adams and Charly Alcaraz.
Stewart scored 26 league goals, including two in the playoffs, to help the Black Cats reclaim their place in the second tier for the 2021-22 season.
He hit the ground running following his last lengthy injury hiatus, which was due to a hamstring issue, scoring five goals in six Championship games over the 2022 holiday season.
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