Southampton receive unexpected boost ahead of busy winter schedule
Southampton have dealt well with several key players being missing for big games this season.
Away at West Ham United, Tonda Eckert couldn't call upon Cyle Larin for the entire 90 minutes, with the Brampton Bagsman sticking out as the Saints' top scorer this season so far with seven Championship goals.
Thankfully, a 3-2 win still ended up being secured, despite this blow, with Flynn Downes also not fit enough to make the squad for the trip to the London Stadium.
There was a dark cloud hanging over proceedings, too, regarding Kuryu Matsuki, as if he were to be called up to Asian Cup action mid-way through the season to represent Japan, he would be missing a lot of football, nearly a month's to be precise.
Well, there has been an unexpected boost for Saints fans to cling onto regarding Matsuki, as the approaching Asian Cup, which was scheduled for January, has been postponed...
Saints' unexpected boost
It was confirmed early on Tuesday morning that the tournament set to take place in Saudi Arabia between January 7th and February 5th early into the New Year has been pushed forward to December 23rd, lasting until January 21st 2018.
The reasons for this postponement centre on the security risks in Saudi Arabia at the moment due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
This will be a gutting piece of news for Matsuki to come to terms with, as he would've loved to represent the Blue Samurai again, after scoring his first ever international goal for his beloved nation in September.
But, it means he can focus primarily on putting in his all in to Southampton's promotion bid, with the energy and desire Matsuki has in spades potentially key when legs will be tiring around the January and February patch of games.
Matsuki can now go full steam ahead with promotion
Losing the tenacity and hunger of the quick number 27 would've hurt the Saints, even if they have been alright this season when losing first-team personnel.
He is also up to four goals for the campaign, now, so he is Southampton's second top scorer in league action, next to the obvious frontrunner of Larin.
Having him around is a major plus, therefore, as the January and February stages of a season are often vital, especially if you're chasing after the glory of promotion.
Looking at the intense schedule, he will be around for away trips to Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers in the New Year.
Having scored the opener against the R's only the other week, and bagging two against them last season, he will fancy his chances of being a hero at Loftus Road when January rolls around.
He will also be present for home matches against West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End, with no concerns in the air that he will be out in Saudi Arabia, instead of being present at St. Mary's.
Matsuki has never found the back of the net against these opponents donning Saints red and white, with a hope he can be crucial later on tonight against the Baggies - if he starts - and then he can prove his worth once more when the reverse league fixture comes around in January.
Lastly, he will be ready to be selected for the trip to Derby County in February, with the Asian Cup, if it had gone ahead, really scuppering his chances of a return to the Saints first team fold at Pride Park, as the tournament would've ended the day before this clash with the Rams.
Southampton do have a very strong squad, but having Matsuki around should be celebrated as a big boost to the Saints' promotion chances, as he has become a crucial first team presence in recent weeks.
It will be up to the one-time FC Tokyo attacker to keep performing to a high standard, though, as the Championship fixtures will come thick and fast when the slog of winter hits.
