Southampton news: Ward-Prowse home, Bazunu to Bolton, Brereton a Blade
News summary
James Ward-Prowse is a Southampton player again. Having signed a two-year deal and taken back the number 30 shirt he wore on debut, 'Prowsey' is ready and raring to go.
Eckert could name him Ward-Prowse in the squad for the visit of Millwall today. Having already had a full pre-season, the former Saints legend is fit. He is match-fit too, having played 45-minutes of league football for West Ham United at Burnley and then 10 minutes in a Carabao Cup match against Pompey.
Tonda Eckert's press conferences continue to disappoint. The German had nothing new to say about Taylor Harwood-Bellis other than that he speaks to him every day and that T H-B is still a Southampton player. Harwood-Bellis won't be involved again today and will almost certainly be gone before the deadline.
It seems that Caspar Jander will return to first-team action before the international break. According to Eckert, the German midfielder suffered a reaction to the muscle injury that he sustained at Eastleigh in pre-season but has trained this week and the injury is repairing better.
The young boss spoke only briefly about Mads Roerslev, preferring to talk instead about how highly he rates James Bree. Roerslev is clearly out of Eckert's plans and could be a candidate for a winter departure from St Mary's.
Keven Schlotterbeck has apparently settled in at Staplewood. The former Bundesliga man offers genuine quality and is the left-footed centre-back that Eckert has been craving for some time. Schlotterbeck brings leadership qualities and more than 150 Bundesliga appearances to the squad.
Transfer news
Southampton's purchase of James Ward-Prowse for a nominal fee of £800k is nothing short of brilliant business by Sport Republic. Having sold the player to West Ham for £30m in 2023, this deal looks and feels like the one that brought Mick Channon back from Manchester City in the late seventies.
Gavin Bazunu has joined newly promoted Bolton on a permanent basis. He made 97 Southampton appearances but has rarely looked the complete goalkeeper. His incredible point-blank save in the corresponding home fixture against Millwall last season was a clear highlight of an indifferent spell at Southampton.
Ben Brereton Díaz has rejoined Sheffield United for a third loan spell. Derby and Stoke both wanted the Chilean, with the Potters even being described as his boyhood team. Brereton Díaz leaves again without a goal or an assist in 17 Southampton matches.
Southampton have bid £8m for Viking defender Henry Falchener, according to reports. He is a Norwegian centre-back who came through a Champions League play-off against Dinamo Zagreb on the winning side and even grabbed an assist. Could this be the potential Harwood-Bellis successor?
Eckert didn't fully commit when asked about trimming down his squad further. The German seems preoccupied with ensuring he has the quality needed to mount a proper promotion challenge in the building. The evidence from Tuesday night's collapse against the Hammers might suggest that he doesn't.
Matchday: Millwall at St Mary's
Southampton's four-point deduction still sees them in the red on minus one as they head into today's match against the league leaders. Victory could see Saints climb out of the bottom three with a trip to Birmingham City to follow on Tuesday night.
Alex Neil's side is yet to concede a goal in their two Championship wins and will prove a stiff test for Tonda Eckert's men.
Cyle Larin should lead the line again today. His three goals in four games this season have shown his quality at this level. Eckert has described him as the division's best.
Echert has said that he wants St Mary's to be a fortress again. On Tuesday night against the Hammers, it felt more like a house of cards.
Saints Marching opinion
The re-signing of Ward-Prowse is a massive boost and presents little risk. With 107 goal involvements for the Saints before he left, he could be the influence that the likes of Scienza, Fellows and Dobbin could really benefit from.
Although there were other offers, Ward-Prowse has said that "nothing compared to the option to come back here."
Unlike when Cyle Larin signed last season, Ward-Prowse has a full pre-season behind him. He will hit the ground running and could even feature against Millwall today.
Southampton remain short of a striker and a centre-back. These next few days are pivotal.
