The attacker was absent from open training ahead of Southampton’s Millwall pre-season clash.
Southampton are still looking to gear up ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Defensive signings have been prioritised by Russell Martin’s side, with the likes of young English defenders Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ronnie Edwards joining the club permanently.
Attackers have also been widely targeted by the Saints, with them managing to obtain key target Ben Brereton Diaz from Villareal.
The Chilean international endured a half-a-season loan at Premier League strugglers Sheffield United, where he suffered relegation with the Blades to the Championship.
Despite having the options of Adam Armstrong and Paul Onuachu up top, striker options are still rather light for Southampton, although Martin has made it clear that he is looking to add a further striker to his side.
Despite this, one striker was absent from an open training session held at St Mary’s, leaving his future as a first-team figure at the club in doubt.
Southampton striker Ross Stewart absent from pre-season training
Despite Southampton gaffer Martin suggesting that former Sunderland attacker Ross Stewart had been involved in what was ‘two really good weeks’ of pre-season, the striker has now been absent from training, per George Rees-Julian on X.
There was also ‘no sign of Kamaldeen Sulemana’ at the open training session, although Sekou Mara and Armel Bella-Kotchap returned to the pitch.
Stewart has tallied just the four first-team appearances since his arrival from Sunderland in September 2023 for £8million, with his Southampton career ultimately being plagued with injuries from the very start.
Muscle injuries took the brunt of his 2023/24 campaign, meaning that Stewart was given just 24 minutes of game time during the league season.
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Is there any chance of revival for Ross Stewart’s Southampton career
Stewart’s stint at Southampton has been nothing short of catastrophic so far, of course completely out of his control with his injuries massively hindering any opportunity to get first-team opportunities.
As a result, there is certainly no guarantee that the Scottish international can get a run of first-team games together in order to bolster his fitness and therefore prove his goal scoring prowess.
The lack of Premier League experience will also be playing on Martin’s mind when considering whether the striker can make a difference at this level.
However, any chance of Stewart being able to replicate his scintillating form at Sunderland should be taken, with his stint with the Black Cats proving that there is no doubt over his finishing ability.
Any decision taken on the striker ultimately involves whether the Southampton boss has confidence in Stewart keeping fit, something which must be primarily analysed ahead of the Premier League season.