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Southampton: Rondon a doubt when Newcastle face Saints

By Chris Hughes

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Salomon Rondon of Newcastle United arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea FC at St. James Park on August 26, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Salomon Rondon of Newcastle United arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea FC at St. James Park on August 26, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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The Venezuelan forward is reportedly a doubt for this weekend’s six-pointer between Newcastle and Southampton.

Rondon is yet to score his first goal in black and white following his loan move from West Brom, but remains one of the most talented players in the Saints’ squad.

However he is reportedly struggling for fitness and could miss the game against Mark Hughes’ team, which has been earmarked as a must-win game for both sides.

This is good news for Southampton fans as Rondon offers a good physical presence when he plays, something which the Saints’ defence has famously struggled with over the past 18 months. Granted, Southampton improved at the back against Bournemouth but they have still been dangerously fragile against stronger forwards.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Deandre Yedlin of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal with Salomon Rondon of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Deandre Yedlin of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal with Salomon Rondon of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Newcastle are currently bottom of the table while Saints are 16th thanks to their one win of the season over Crystal Palace at the start of last month.

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Southampton have Danny Ings to thank for their few Premier League points this season whereas Newcastle have struggled to score at all – Rondon is yet score in four league appearances.

However, as mentioned, he is a great aerial presence and despite recent form Southampton remain fragile against strikers who can head a ball – we saw this last season against the likes of Glenn Murray and Olivier Giroud.

Mark Hughes’ side still have to face four of the big six before the turn of the year meaning games against teams like Newcastle need to result in points on the board. This will be a lot more achievable with Rondon a doubt.

The draw against Bournemouth is a step in the right direction with the Cherries being in a rich vein of form but the Saints need to start getting wins else they could be looking at another season fighting relegation.