Southampton: Exclusive report reveals what happened to Sam McQueen

Sam McQueen had become one of the latest players to make an impact in Southampton’s first-team after progressing through their youth system.

To date, he has made 29 appearances for Saints and proved his ability further in loan spells with Southend United and Middlesbrough.

However, it was in his time at ‘Boro that he suffered a terrible injury – an Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture that has kept him out for two years so far.

Via an exclusive report from the Athletic though, we can learn more about his situation and just why it has taken him so long to return.

Dan Sheldon reveals that screws that had been inserted into McQueen’s knee became infected and pushed the 25-year-old’s recovery back to the very start again.

For McQueen, this is certainly retched luck and Saints fans will be wishing him well whilst hoping to see him return to action as soon as possible.

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Given that he had been in plans under each of Claude Puel, Mauricio Pellegrino and Mark Hughes, he will have wanted an opportunity to show Ralph Hasenhuttl what he can do.

The whole situation has meant that this has not happened though and has halted an otherwise promising career in its tracks.

Saints could arguably do with him at the moment too.

Ryan Bertrand has been the first-choice left-back under Hasenhuttl and has been ever present so far this season, but he looks set to miss Friday’s meeting with Newcastle through injury.

Jake Vokins is the backup option despite his inexperience in comparison but is also set to miss this weekend.

Saints were actively looking for some more cover for the full-back areas given that Vokins and Yan Valery are the only other options for these positions.

McQueen has also played as a left-winger in some games and was useful for when Saints were looking to close out a result because of his natural defensive awareness.