Southampton enjoyed a positive night at first-team level on Friday.
The Saints claimed a convincing 2-0 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns, bouncing back from their 3-1 defeat at Bristol City on Tuesday night, that had ended their 25-match unbeaten run.
Victory over the Baggies also means that Russell Martin has seen his side climb back into 2nd place in the Championship table.
That comes ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Home Park to face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.
However, it was not just that victory over West Brom, that provided a source of positivity for Southampton on Friday night.
James Bree takes fresh step in injury recovery
While the vast majority of the Saints’ first-team were involved at The Hawthorns on Friday, one member of that squad was in action elsewhere.
That was James Bree, who has not made a senior appearance for Southampton the 1-0 win at QPR on the 23rd December.
The right-back has been out of action since then, having picked up a hamstring injury during that victory at Loftus Road.
However, he did take a step forward in his recovery on Friday. That came as Bree played the first half for Southampton Under 21s in their league match with Arsenal, which they lost 4-2.
The 26-year-old was in action for the Saints’ youth team, in order to help rebuild his fitness ahead of a return to first-team action.
James Bree return a welcome sight for Southampton
The fact that Bree has taken the next step in his recovery will be welcome news for those of a Saints persuasion.
Obviously, Kyle Walker-Peters is going to be the first choice option at right-back for Southampton when he is fit and available.
However, the absence of Bree due to injury, has left Russell Martin without established alternative options to call on in that particular position.
Now though, the fact the 26-year-old is making these appearances for the club’s Under 21s side, suggests he is closing in on being ready to return to first-team action.
That will go some way to easing some of the nerves about the demands being placed on Walker-Peters, given they may soon have another option to turn to in that position.
With plenty of games still to come between now and the end of the season that will have a lot riding on them, that could be vital for Southampton in the promotion battle.
As a result, it does look as though Friday night was a positive one in many ways, for those of a Saints persuasion.