"Saints should turn to Preston" - Southampton to face dilemma involving Ross Stewart and Che Adams | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Southampton striker Ross Stewart has had a tough 2023/24 campaign, with most of it spent on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but his presence may be needed heading into next season.

Stewart joined the Saints from Sunderland on deadline day for an initial fee of £8 million, plus £4 million in potential add-ons, but he has been plagued by injury since his arrival at St Mary's Stadium.

There were previously hopes that Stewart was going to be back during January, something that would have been a much-needed boost in their pursuit of promotion, having spent a sizeable fee to bring him in during the summer transfer window.

He was injured at the time of his arrival after sustaining an achilles injury at Sunderland during the very early stages of 2023, but he eventually made his return to action after joining the Saints, making substitute appearances against West Brom and Huddersfield Town in November; but they would be his only appearances of a frustrating campaign.

The Scotsman will play no part for Southampton during the regular season, but Martin revealed that he could return for the play-offs.

Martin told the Daily Echo.

"He has a fantastic mentality. If the season extends, which looks likely, then hopefully he'll be an option for us at some point. This will be a big boost for him and a big boost for us I think."

In the meantime, Fabrizio Romano has pinpointed the area Wolves are most keen to strengthen this summer, with the Premier League side linked with a move for Southampton’s Che Adams ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The Midlands outfit attempted to sign the Scot last year, but a deadline day move was blocked by the Saints. It has been reported that Gary O’Neil remains interested in the 27-year-old, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the campaign.

However, Wolves face competition from Leeds United in the race for Adams’ signature.

Southampton's striker dilemma - can Ross Stewart fill Che Adams' boots?

Should Adams depart, irrespective of the division Southampton find themselves in next term, they will potentially require another centre-forward.

Here, we ask our FLW writers their verdict on whether Ross Stewart should be the man to fill his shoes at St. Mary's.

Adam Elliott

The signing of Stewart was a major coup for the Saints, and after he scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 15 appearances in an injury-disrupted season for Sunderland last term, there was hope that he could be the man to fire the club to promotion.

However, there must now be concern that he will never get back to what he was before, having missed so much of the campaign.

Adams has also proved that a traditional striker can help in certain game states and against particular opposition, in spite of how well Adam Armstrong is performing this season.

It's been a huge shame for Southampton that Stewart hasn't had more impact, but the Premier League would be a massive step up for him, even if he has the physical attributes required to be a success in a similar role to that of Adams.

If Southampton remain a second tier side for the 2024/25 season, it would be a risk, but perhaps one worth taking considering the obvious talent Stewart possesses. If he can have a full pre-season and looks sharp, then there's no reason he wouldn't be able to hold down the starting striker berth.

And, if he struggles to get up to speed during that period, then the club still has the remainder of the summer window to source an alternative analogue to Adams for next season, too.

Ben Wignall

Southampton spent an awful lot of money on Stewart for Championship standards considering he'd not only spent much of the last campaign injured, but it was his one and only 'season' at such a level in his career.

Naturally, no-one expected the hamstring issue to come about, but there will be natural fears that Stewart could be injury prone for the near future now - fans will be worried when the Scotsman steps on the pitch, he could be at risk of breaking down again.

Because of that, you'd have to think that the Saints go into the transfer market this summer whatever division they are in to replace Adams, who looks like he may challenge himself elsewhere.

Should the return to the Premier League happen, then that opens Southampton's potential options open significantly, but if they don't go up, then perhaps a raid on Championship rival Preston North End should be considered for Emil Riis.

The Dane hasn't been without his injury issues himself, having spent a year on the sidelines with an ACL problem in 2023, but having scored six times and notched two assists in 19 league outings since his return and a goal conversion percentage of 27 per cent - which is higher than Adams' 19 per cent, the 25-year-old could be someone that does better in a team with more quality.

Riis has one year remaining on his deal at Deepdale, and having proven that he's a stronger player since his return to action under Ryan Lowe, he could be someone Russell Martin targets this summer.