Why Caspar Jander will likely settle for a place on the Southampton bench vs Portsmouth

Southampton have a relatively clean bill of health for their clash with Portsmouth on Sunday.

At first, it appeared as if Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz would both be ruled out for the South Coast Derby, after returning from international duty with knocks.

Thankfully, these niggles were nothing major, and they have both been pictured in training, preparing for the tense showdown to come with Pompey.

Having both players stuck in the treatment room would have been a nightmare, truth be told, as they're guaranteed first team presences under Tonda Eckert.

The German could also have Caspar Jander available for selection, as the 23-year-old has finally brushed off a long-term problem.

Jander could feature vs Pompey

Having the number eight finally back from injury will be a huge plus as it gifts Eckert another option centrally, over having to start Flynn Downes and James Ward-Prowse week in week out.

Scoring two Championship goals last season, alongside winning a lively 5.6 duels on average per second tier clash, Jander instantly fit in to his new surroundings when making the move from Nurnberg.

This seamless transition to life in England would have made his pre-season injury more frustrating, with Jander yet to feature in competitive action for the Saints this campaign.

Thankfully, the aforementioned Ward-Prowse has stepped up as a classy and composed stand-in, and the experienced midfielder even scored last time out against Wrexham.

With Downes also sticking out as a tenacious battler from the middle of the park, it's not a certainty that the returning German will instantly come into the starting XI after injury, like Larin and Peretz, with a spot on the bench perhaps his most plausible position against Pompey.

He might have to make do with a spot on the bench

At one point this summer, there would have been a mass panic about the Saints' midfield depth.

Indeed, Shea Charles left the building, and then Jander picked up an injury. This is where Ward-Prowse has come to the rescue, as he has barely put a foot wrong since making a dramatic return to his boyhood club late into the summer transfer window.

Averaging a near flawless 93% pass accuracy average on his return to Championship football, he will likely be kept in the starting XI for such a big clash against Pompey, knowing that he can be a calm head.

He also knows the magnitude of such a contest, having amassed over 400 appearances for the Saints over two spells, so he will be pumped up for the lunchtime kickoff tomorrow.

Downes also feels like a player you can't afford to axe for a clash that will be so lively and energetic, with recent home victories over Swansea City and Bristol City seeing the daring 27-year-old win ten duels for his team's cause.

He also has two assists next to his name in Championship action, so he will be expected to unlock the away side's defence, as much as he will also be expected to be in John Mousinho and Co's faces from minute one.

Saints Marching even wrote an article the other month stating that Ward-Prowse had a new Oriel Romeu by his side in the ex-West Ham United machine, so breaking up this blossoming relationship, to bring back in Jander - who might not be 100% - doesn't feel like a risk worth taking.

Having him as a bench option to bring on late if needs be is a much better shout, as Eckert ruminates on what starting XI he should go with, for such a nervy occasion.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow