Joshua Quarshie has returned to Southampton training after a minor groin injury forced him to withdraw from the Germany under-21 squad. The defender sustained the injury during Southampton’s recent 1-1 draw with Derby and initially traveled back home before further assessment led to his withdrawal from international duty.
Quarshie resumed training with Southampton on Thursday but will undergo additional evaluations ahead of their match against Swansea on Saturday at 12:30 PM. Coach Still noted, “He felt something in his groin after the game at Derby, but was checked and was relatively happy to travel. He trained a couple of times with the German team, but it didn’t feel right.”
The team is hopeful about Quarshie’s recovery, with Still mentioning that the next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial in determining his fitness for the upcoming game. He emphasized Quarshie’s importance to the team’s defensive structure, which is starting to take shape.
In addition, Jack Stephens, the captain, has been absent from the last two games due to fitness issues. While he felt improvement in his ankle, Still opted not to include him in the squad for the draw against Derby, prioritizing consistency within the team. Despite the frustration of being sidelined, Stephens handled the situation professionally, embodying strong leadership qualities.
Southampton is navigating through injuries but remains optimistic about their squad’s resilience as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures. The team is keen to keep building momentum, especially with the return of key players like Quarshie.