Southampton took to the field for the first time in the 2026/27 season at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium on Saturday evening.
Tonda Eckert’s side played two different teams in the first and second halves of the game and won 3-1 despite going behind early, as they did a year prior.
It was a good chance for the players to regain some fitness, build team chemistry and show fans what they’ve been missing during the break.
Just one void remains in the Saints squad following the signing of attacking midfielder Lewis Dobbin - the Ross Stewart replacement. Despite the signing of Cyle Larin, the departure of the Scotsman must be accounted for this summer.
One player who got on the scoresheet against Eastleigh is making a case to be the Saints’ in-house replacement.
An in-house prospect
With Cyle Larin on an extended break following World Cup duty with Canada, Southampton academy product Nick Oyekunle was given the nod to start up front at the Silverlake.
The 19-year-old striker gave the Saints a 2-1 lead 29 minutes into the game with a well-placed header from a classic Tom Fellows stepover-onto-the right foot and dink cross into the centre of the six-yard box. It came just minutes after a similar effort, which Oyekunle couldn’t guide below the crossbar.
Surrounded by experienced top Championship players, Nick Oyekunle looked an excellent threat up front for Southampton. With the likes of Damion Downs and Cameron Archer clearly not liked as centre-forward options by Tonda Eckert, the academy graduate could look to push for a place in the first team.
Oyekunle played just 30 minutes across three Championship matches last season - this could be the campaign he really makes an impact.
Saints could build iconic trio
Southampton already have Cyle Larin, whom they signed for just £2.5 million this summer after an excellent second half of the season on loan at the club in 2025/26. Nick Oyekunle has cost them nothing, as a player developed at the club since he was just six years of age.
No matter what happens with Oyekunle, the club will surely continue to search for another striker to compete at the top of the pitch.
Eight-figure bids have already been made for Como’s Ivan Azon and Tottenham Hotspur’s Will Lankshear - and if a deal for either is struck, it will mean Southampton have built a top Championship forward line for under £15 million.
The future is bright for 19-year-old Nick Oyekunle - who is certainly one to watch at Southampton in the coming months.
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