The Southampton youngster who could be handed chances in promotion run-in

Southampton will be caught up in the excitement of their FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Arsenal currently, but the main focus this season will remain on winning promotion out of the Championship.

After all, if the Saints want to make games with the Gunners a regular occurrence again, they will need to seal promotion at the close of the gruelling second-tier season.

They're in a healthy position to do just that, with Tonda Eckert's side last tasting defeat in the Championship back in mid-January, when promotion rivals Hull City travelled down to the South Coast.

Since then, Eckert and Co. have been a force to be reckoned with, with 17 league wins next to their name, at the time of writing, meaning they're holding onto that final playoff spot with confidence.

Southampton's resolve in the promotion race

The past couple of wins in the wearying division have really displayed Southampton's resolve, arguably, as the Saints have had to make do without former Leo Scienza being available.

Eckert and Co. could have looked lost without their star-man being present, as he does have a sizeable six goals and assists next to his name this season in the Championship, but the South Coast side have managed just fine, with wins secured against Coventry City, Norwich City, and Oxford United.

Back fit for the Arsenal tie, this will be a major boost to the ranks, as a David vs Goliath-level shock is possibly on the cards.

Not having Scienza available will have made Eckert aware as to how crucial his full squad can be, when legs tire, and injuries pile up, with youngster Jay Robinson perhaps ready to make an impact between now and the end of the season, on the Brazilian's preferred left wing.

Robinson could be handed chances in promotion run-in

The intense fixture schedule ahead in April will really test the determination of Eckert's camp.

Including the Arsenal cup clash, Southampton have a quickfire seven matches to get their heads around, in the space of 24 days, meaning Eckert might pick Robinson here and there, as another option in attack.

Much like Scienza, Robinson has had to deal with his own injury difficulties this season, as he has been out of action for the Saints across the last two months, owing to a troubling quad issue.

Before this significant setback, though, the 19-year-old looked very comfortable, shoved into the deep-end of senior action, with the homegrown talent powering home two goals, and collecting one assist, from 25 Championship appearances.

Therefore, Eckert won't feel nervous about the prospect of throwing Robinson back into first team action, if he has to, with the London-born youngster's versatile nature also standing him in good stead to be in reinstated into the senior picture, after injury.

The malleable number 46 can play as a number ten, or as a right winger, alongside calling the left channel home, with the fixture overload to come perhaps making him the best possible candidate to fill in, all across the pitch.

Taking part in Southampton's recent training day in front of the St Mary's faithful, too, Robinson will hope he's back to being regularly picked again, in crunch games to come.

He could even feature against Arsenal, with an academy star playing a key role in a Cup upset being pulled off, a dream narrative to sink your teeth into.