Why Caspar Jander’s return could be just as big as Southampton’s Cyle Larin boost

Southampton have had several annoying injury issues to deal with in recent times.

Cyle Larin hasn't been present across the Saints' last four Championship contests, owing to a hamstring injury, with slip-ups against West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End perhaps avoidable if the lethal seven-goal marksman was leading the line.

Flynn Downes has also been in and out of Tonda Eckert's first-team fold due to his own problems, but he played back-to-back 90 minute matches just before the break.

Eckert should have Larin back for the first game after the break against Derby County, which is a huge boost, as chances aplenty were missed during the frustrating 1-1 draw against the Baggies, and the painful 1-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Preston.

Alongside the Brampton Bagsman's long-awaited return, Caspar Jander should hopefully be in contention to start against John Eustace's men, when Championship action resumes, with the German midfielder unfortunately becoming somewhat injury-prone on the South Coast.

Jander's injury difficulties

Jander had a nightmare pre-season, heading into his second campaign as a Saints player.

He would hardly feature due to his own hamstring issue, with the first eight Championship games of this season seeing him sidelined.

Jander did find his way back into the starting XI, as he came on for an energetic 18-minute cameo during the hot-headed South Coast Derby last month, but he has just three Championship appearances next to his name for the unfolding campaign.

Indeed, he hasn't featured for the promotion hopefuls since the exhilarating 3-2 victory at West Ham United, but Eckert named the ex-Nurnberg machine as another face he expects to feature against Derby later in the month.

His return could be as big as Larin's, as while James Ward-Prowse and the aforementioned Downes are steady stand-ins, the 23-year-old always seem to catch the eye when he's on the pitch for being a forward-thinking bundle of energy.

His return could be just as big as Larin's

Jander really did stick out as a gem last season for Eckert and Co.

Costing £10.4m to snap up from the Bundesliga, he slotted in and looked instantly at home, with his breathless showing against Manchester City in the FA Cup gaining him several plaudits, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig stated that he is a "Premier League level player without any doubt" at the full-time whistle.

He handled that intense occasion with ease, with eight duels won, and only three of his passes going astray.

Alongside being willing to get stuck in, he is always looking to drive his team forward to collect a win, with Jander revealing that he is a "player who gives everything on the pitch" after signing on the dotted line for the Saints last summer.

He showed that off during the barnstorming win at the London Stadium, with 11.5km covered come the end of the high-octane 90 minutes.

He has even generated the highest running speed among Championship midfielders this season, off the back of the sublime away day to East London, with a blistering speed recorded of 36km/h.

While both Downes and Ward-Prowse hardly ever put a foot wrong, neither of them are players who are known for having pace to burn.

Rather, they're known for operating more safely.

If Jander had been present against West Brom and Preston, perhaps a more favourable result could've been secured, with the talented German three wins from three when he's featured this season in the gruelling second tier.

Having Larin back is an unbelievable boost to morale, as the Canadian is a natural born goalscorer.

But, adding in an injection of freshness in the middle of the park courtesy of Jander will be another welcome lift to the Saints' slightly knocked confidence.

Eckert will just need to make sure he doesn't overwork the returning number nine, and his Münster-born counterpart, with both players prone to a long stay in the treatment room.

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