Morning roundup: Benfica want Harwood-Bellis, opener nears, Friday 14th August
News summary
Eckert met the media before Sunday. He previewed the Watford trip without giving away his starting XI, and Larin is the call everyone is waiting on.
Cyle Larin is short of full sharpness after a late summer break, so the manager will speak to the striker before naming him. Caution, then, over a forward he clearly wants involved.
Two substitutes lit up the Colchester win. Cam Bragg caught the eye off the bench, while Larin's 72nd-minute opener may have reshaped the starting lineup for the match against Watford.
Finn Azaz's return is the quieter boost. The playmaker is back in the mix after a shin injury, and looked lively in his cameo.
There were warm words for the academy, too. Romeo Akachukwu is ready to knock on the door, Eckert reckons, and supporters will happily hear it.
Transfer news
Benfica are the name of the week. They have tested Southampton's nerve over Taylor Harwood-Bellis, with reported contact at around £17m but no formal bid as yet.
Saints rate their vice-captain well above that, and Porto were sent packing with a similar figure back in January. He should start at Watford on Sunday.
Southampton have batted interest away all summer. None of this is new.
West Ham had an early look before going quiet, while Coventry and Hull both sounded him out. Leo Scienza, Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz have all drawn eyes without moving on.
Only Charles has left for a fee.
Matchday: Watford away
Saints are away at Watford on Sunday, live on Sky. Kick-off is 1.30.
Saints Marching has identified a Watford weakness to exploit, although any marginal gains will have to be hard-fought away at Vicarage Road.
Five players have worn both shirts down the years. Saints also start on minus four after Spygate, so a good result would start to chip away at it.
Larin could feature after his midweek cameo. The XI waits on Eckert's fitness calls.
Saints Marching opinion
Harwood-Bellis is the vice-captain and a guaranteed starter when fit. A £17m sniff from Lisbon will not change that.
Saints paid Manchester City a £20m fee for him in 2024. He has captained from the back in Jack Stephen's absence since Adam Armstrong left in January, and few Saints fans would let him go cheaply.
Outstanding on the ball, he can turn defence into attack with a single pass. He weighs in with goals from set pieces, rare for a centre-half.
Selling now would be daft. Cashing in at £17m, for less than he cost, is not how you build a promotion side.
No formal bid has landed, and there are weeks of the window left. Expect him at Watford this weekend, not in Lisbon.
