Southampton have found a resurgence in form having endured a blip which saw them suffer three defeats in four in the Championship.
Russell Martin‘s side have now secured successive victories after defeating Sunderland in a six-goal thriller on the weekend.
The South Coasters remain in fourth but have closed the gap on third-placed Ipswich Town to five points with a game in hand.
Saints don’t play until the end of March now after the international break, which allows time for key players to return from injury.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Fraser are expected to be back available for the Middlesbrough clash but that could leave Martin with a selection headache.
Ryan Fraser told he’ll drop to bench
Fraser, who Martin hailed as having a ‘brilliant attitude’ in Janaury, will be eager to regain his place in the starting line-up.
That leaves The Saints boss with a big decision to make as he contends with the idea of having to drop one of his current forwards for the return of the Scotland international.
The Newcastle United loanee started to make his way into the first 11 prior to injury and was making a real impact from the left.
However, Daily Echo journalist Alfie House believes he isn’t in Southampton’s best attacking trio.
,“I think the XI right now is very clear, because the front three of David Brooks Che Adams, Adam Armstrong for me is the best front three at the club, I think it’s pretty clear,” House told the Total Saints Podcast.
“Ryan Fraser has been unlucky because he’s lost that crown whilst he hasn’t been able to play but he’ll be a brilliant impact player as we’ve already seen.”
With that said, it looks as though Fraser may be resigned to a bit part role, making an impact from the bench where possible.
Perhaps that is a little harsh, though, a look at the current front three’s numbers and it’s easy to see why House can’t justify dropping one of them.
Saints’ sensational front three
Adam Armstrong is almost undroppable having netted 18 goals whilst laying on 11 assists this term, meanwhile,che Adams has been on a productive run of form.
David Brooks is undoubtedly the best right-winger at the club and has made a tremendous impact since arriving at the club in January.
On loan from Bournemouth, the left-footed wide player has registered five goal contributions in four starts.
So, whilst it’s certainly not his fault, Fraser’s time on the sidelines has allowed others to move above him in the pecking order and he’ll have to earn his way back into the fold.
