It was being reported yesterday that Southampton’s international duo of goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and midfielder Stuart Armstrong had been passed fit by the club and remained in contention for our clash against Bournemouth this coming weekend.
Both had been rated as doubtful following the October international break action for their respective countries and McCarthy headed back to the club with a knock prior to the draw against Croatia and Armstrong limped off in the second half of Scotland’s defeat to Portugal.
Sky Sports claimed that they had been informed by a source within Southampton that neither player, after assessment, proved to have that troublesome an issue so they can both be in manager Mark Hughes plans for Eddie Howe’s side.
McCarthy is a clear boost given his own form between the sticks despite our ongoing form, but Armstrong probably won’t be that excited to take up his so far regular spot on the substitutes bench, with only one Premier League start to his name so far having arrived from Celtic over the summer.
Sky’s claim said a ‘full squad to choose from’ so our other internationals look to have come through unscathed as well, which is at least something as we look to actually get our season going once again.
