SAINTS head coach Tonda Eckert declared that star man Leo Scienza will be fit to face Arsenal after he missed his third successive match injured.
The 27 year old was not part of the squad that beat Oxford United 2-0 at St Mary’s on Saturday, thanks to early Cyle Larin and Shea Charles goals.
Scienza was substituted early with a groin injury during a 1-1 draw at West Brom, and he had already missed victories over Coventry and Norwich.
Saints are back in action after the international break when they host Premier League champions-elect Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Eckert expects Scienza to be involved in the clash, which has been set for BBC One broadcasting at 8pm on Saturday, April 4.
Asked if the Brazilian will be part of the squad to face the Gunners, Eckert said: “Yes, he was close for this game, but he’ll be back after the break.
“It’s a credit to the boys who are on the pitch to keep winning. It’s not easy. The games are so different. Coventry was so different to Norwich.
“Norwich was so different to today. The boys are now starting to find ways to win games of football, and that’s the most important thing.”
Scienza could be joined in the squad by Jay Robinson and Welington, who have recently returned to training following injuries earlier this year.
Saints will be without suspended Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki, after they were hit with an automatic ban for already accumulating two yellow cards.
“Let’s see. The under-21s play a game on Wednesday, and they are supposed to be playing a couple of minutes. Let’s see how the days go,” said Eckert.
“We need to assess how that goes once we go into that week at Arsenal. We have two players out suspended, and we need to see how the squad looks.
“But I think they are making good progress at the moment.”
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