Will Still issues Taylor Harwood-Bellis' fitness update with the defender confirmed to be ruled out from the Championship opener against Wrexham.
Admit it or not, Southampton fans, but all of us can't help but admit that despite a modest preseason, we've all missed one Saint at one point or another. It's an easy guess in regular starter Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who, ever since the ultimate Arsenal matchday, hasn't been seen again.
Now, given that the Gunners clash hardly held any weight for the Saints, the general fan consensus followed that Harwood-Bellis would join in the next season at his full rhythm. But, sadly, the optimism hasn't materialised.
Let alone leading the defence, the 23-year-old has gone missing in all six preseason games. And while the supporters worry for his return, now they feel rather more fearful to see him start without practice in a tricky Wrexham opener.
Well, but all those concerns have been addressed with an unfavourable Will Still update, as per which, Harwood-Bellis won't make it to the Wrexham evening squad.
Harwood-Bellis won't return before Northampton clash
Recently, as quoted by Saints Extra, Still issued Harwood-Bellis's fitness report, saying: “I think Taylor has probably got another 10 days to go. He's only just joined in training in the latter stages of this week.”
But while Taylor Harwood-Bellis is now bound to miss the upcoming matchday, the real question is, should he be called to the Northampton fixture too?
To note, there are still 10 days left for the defender to mark a return, yet while the idea feels good on paper, it seems practically too much. That's because, with the tie already deemed a challenging one, it makes little sense to force in a start for injury returnee Harwood-Bellis.
Instead, what shall be followed is to introduce the defender in the second half, hopefully by which the Saints should have decided the game. This way, not only would Harwood-Bellis gain his exposure and rhythm back before a challenging schedule ahead, but he would restart in the best way possible, with a Carabao Cup advancement.
But first of all, with the Wrexham tie overhead, let's see who Still hands in the responsibility to start in Harwood-Bellis' starter spot. The expectation remains that whoever takes the role will help in the club's victory.