Southampton interim coach Simon Rusk has revealed that Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu is a doubt for their game against West Ham this weekend due to a niggling ankle injury, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onuachu has had a topsy-turvy season at Southampton. At the beginning of the campaign, he struggled to get minutes, but things started to look up at the start of the year.
However, his presence in the team has not changed much, as the club still got relegated after their loss to Tottenham two weeks ago. Onuachu started that game from the bench and got just 17 minutes of action, but he could not help the Saints.
Then last week in Southampton’s 3-0 loss to Aston Villa, he started but had to be taken off at the break as he was struggling with an injury. Due to this, he is considered as a doubt for this weekend’s game against West Ham.
Ahead of the Premier League fixture, Southampton’s interim boss Rusk spoke about Onuachu.
“When you’re a player that’s had a stop-start season it can be really difficult, so we’re all delighted he’s (Onuachu) getting a consistent period of training and playing and building minutes up off the bench and hopefully long may it continue,” Rusk said.
“We want to get him to a point where he’s pushing to start, that has to be the aim for him and certainly is the aim for us.”
Is Paul Onuachu’s time at Southampton over?
Now that Southampton’s relegation has been confirmed, they might have to sell some players in the summer. Paul Onuachu is one of those, as he has been linked with some Turkish clubs like Besiktas and Trabzonspor, but noting has happened yet.
The Super Eagles star’s price has also dropped, making him a good option for most Turkish clubs. Nonetheless, Onuachu will likely play again for Southampton before the end of the season. Since he injury is not serious, he could be back in action by this weekend or the next.