Cyle Larin injury scare blown out of proportion ahead of Southampton vs Portsmouth
The three-week international break is nearly over.
All the Nations League action, and the friendly contests taking place over this break are now coming to a close, with Southampton star Kuryu Matsuki winning his second senior Japan cap against New Zealand recently, when being introduced into the game late on.
Cyle Larin didn't feature for Canada last time out against Peru, owing to a back problem, which would have sent the Saints into a state of panic, as to whether their main marksman would be fit for the showdown with Portsmouth this coming Sunday.
Saints Marching even wrote on the possibility of the inexperienced Divin Mubama having to step into the first team frame ahead of the Brampton Bagsman, but new reports seem to suggest that the potent number nine could be fit to start against Pompey, after all.
Larin could be fit after all
As per social media account Canadian Soccer Daily, Larin's back is reportedly 'fine', with Canada allowing him to withdraw from the national team camp, so he can get ready to play again for Tonda Eckert and Co.
The initial worry would've been that he had withdrawn from Jesse Marsch's camp due to the injury concern being worse than first thought.
Instead, Canada clearly just have Larin's best interests in heart, as they won't want their star marksman to be in the treatment room for a significant period of time, because they've aggravated an initially innocuous injury.
Thankfully, this won't be the case, with Larin now settling back into his South Coast environment, before being potentially chucked back into the starting XI against Pompey as a refreshed focal point up top.
The 31-year-old's unexpected availability will come as a huge boost to the Saints, as they aim to please the St Mary's masses with another attacking masterclass in an emphatic win over their arch nemesis.
This will be such a big boost
Several Southampton players have stepped up to the mark in being a tricky attacking force for Championship defences to try and contain, away from just Larin sticking out as the current second tier golden boot frontrunner.
Indeed, Finn Azaz has been a goal and assist king so far this season, with a stunning eight goal contributions next to his name from his opening eight Championship clashes.
There's also Leo Scienza who loves to bamboozle opposition defenders for fun, and he did score during the last South Coast Derby at Fratton Park, with his well-taken solo strike handing Eckert's visitors a 1-1 draw.
While having the Brazilian, and his Irish counterpart, available would've been a welcome relief for Eckert, not having Larin leading the line would've felt like a vital piece of the puzzle was missing, from this terrifying attacking trio.
He has seven goals next to his name from just eight Championship outings this season, and with the news that Pompey could be missing first-team centre-back Conor Shaughnessy for such a huge tie, Larin will be licking his lips at the prospect of causing the away side's defence havoc all game long.
If the Pompey defence switch off for just a split second, they could be in grave danger, with Larin only amassing a slim average of 25.5 touches per Championship clash this season.
Yet, he leads the way with goals put away. The one-time Orlando City striker is the very definition of poacher, that's for sure.
Having a striker of Larin's venom on your side is such a big plus for a game that will undoubtedly be combative and tense, as if he provides one bit of match-winning quality, he could singlehandedly seal the game in Southampton's smug favour.
It will be up to the backroom staff at St Mary's to ensure he isn't too stiff with his back issues, but if he isn't in too much discomfort, he could prove to be a key match-winner for Eckert's men.
