The news that Tom Fellows will be fit to start the match at home to Coventry City on Saturday will be very welcome news for Saints fans.
Fellows was forced to miss the trip to Norwich City last Saturday after sustaining a groin injury against West Bromwich Albion in midweek.
The former England Under-21 international has been an integral cog in Tonda Eckert's unstoppable Southampton machine since the German coach took over the reins from Will Still.
Fellows key contributions are critical
Turning defensive possession into attacking transitions is Fellows' main contribution to the Southampton team of late. His ability to carry the ball for 30-40 yards has created overloads and started meaningful attacks.
Three assists in seven games under Eckert have largely come about as a result of Fellows' ability to take on defenders and open up spaces. His incisive 30-yard dribble through the heart of West Brom's midfield to set up Léo Scienza for the opener, was worth the entrance fee alone.
Eckert remains without Elias Jelert, who returned to training earlier this week, and Mads Roerslev, who is due to return to training next week.
Injuries to the right-sided players has weakened the team since before Eckert took on the role as Head Coach. Missing a natural right-back, or a natural right wing-back, forced Still to use Fellows in the so-called hybrid position.
To be fair to Fellows, he has played the position well enough. Out of possession he has been exposed a little when defending deep. Demarai Gray gave hm a torrid time defensively when Birmingham City visited St Mary's earlier in the month.
Fellows' groin injury may have been the indirect result of playing too many minutes in a very high energy position. Eckert's 3-4-3 formation places high demands on the two wide players to attack and defend.
A mixed bag for the league leaders
Coventry City travel to St Mary's in mixed form. So far, December has yielded just four points for the Sky Blues.
December started with a 3-0 away defeat against fellow automatic promotion candidates, Ipswich Town. Frank Lampard's side followed that up with a 1-1 draw on the road at Preston North End before picking up their first win of the month at home to Bristol City last Saturday.
Tom Fellows may not be looking forward to going up against Coventry's Ephron Mason-Clark.
The 26-year-old scored his fourth of the season against Bristol City, securing all three points for the Sky Blues.
The return of Tom Fellows to the starting eleven will give Southampton fans great cause for optimism. A victory over Lampard's Coventry would be a very big scalp indeed.