Southampton F.C. have received a mixed but mostly encouraging update on the fitness of Caspar Jander, Finn Azaz and Tom Fellows, with head coach Tonda Eckert suggesting Jander's issue is not a major concern and Azaz could be in contention for the game against Colchester.
Jander came off injured early in Saints' 3-1 friendly win at Eastleigh after what Eckert described as a sprint-related problem. The head coach said it was a new experience for the 23-year-old, who has not had muscular injuries before, but stressed that the early signs are positive.
"But it's nothing major," Eckert said. "We'll see in the next week how quickly we can reintegrate him, but I'm quite positive that he'll be back with us quickly."
That is a useful update for Saints as they move through pre-season, especially because Jander and Azaz both missed the trip to Germany for the club's training camp and friendlies. With the opening weeks of the season drawing closer, the club will want both players back in rhythm as soon as possible.
Azaz in line for a quick return
Azaz did not feature against Eastleigh, and Eckert said the midfielder remains a possibility for Colchester. If not, the club are still looking toward the game against Watford as a realistic target.
"I think that Finn is a small question mark for Colchester," Eckert said. "I think there's also a chance that he'll be involved in the game and definitely aiming towards Watford."
The coach also praised the wider effort both players have put into pre-season, saying it is important they begin the season without pain. He added that he is confident Azaz will be fine once the campaign starts, while pointing to the player's experience and the fact that Middlesbrough had a difficult pre-season for him last year as well.
Tom Fellows is another name Saints are managing carefully. He has already appeared in friendlies against Eastleigh and Eintracht Braunschweig, but on Saturday he is unlikely to play against Preussen Münster. That suggests Saints are being cautious with his workload rather than rushing him back too quickly.
There was also a brief note on Edozie, whose absence was described as a knock and not a concern. For Saints, the overall picture is a familiar pre-season one: some knocks, a few cautious calls, and a steady effort to get key players ready for the start of the season.
The encouraging part for Eckert and Southampton F.C. is that none of the updates sounds like a serious setback. Jander appears to be progressing well, Azaz has a realistic chance of returning soon, and the club are simply managing the final stages of preparation with care.
