Southampton manager Russell Martin has admitted that Nico Lawrence will have an opportunity to force his way into the Saints’ first-team this season.
Lawrence joined the Saints back in February 2022, signing from non-league side Glebe FC while still a teenager.
Having completed that move to St Mary’s, the defender is still waiting to make his first senior appearance for the club.
Instead, the 20-year-old has spent time out on loan elsewhere over the course of the past 12 months.
The defender made 20 appearances for Torquay United in the National League during the second half of last season, before joining League Two side Colchester United in last summer’s transfer window.
However, Lawrence only made five appearances across all competitions for the U’s, who currently sit 21st in the fourth-tier standings.
Even so, it now appears that the defender could have a chance to earn himself a place in the Saints’ own first-team going forward.
Russell Martin hints at Southampton ‘opportunity’ for Nico Lawrence
Amid that lack of game time with Colchester, Lawrence was recalled by Southampton with around a week to go in the January transfer window.
Despite that, the defender did not go out on loan before the window closed again on Thursday night.
As a result, this update from The Daily Echo has revealed that Lawrence is now training with Southampton’s first-team, and Martin is keen for him to be prepared to play his part.
Speaking about Lawrence and the possibility of him making his first-team debut for the Saints following that loan spell, Martin said:
“Nico is back in the building now after his loan and there was a decision made on him. There were a few clubs interested in taking him on loan but he has been out of the building for a while and I have not seen much of him.”
Martin went onto add:
“He has an opportunity to force himself into the squad and to show us what he has got. He will be better for these four months. He has been out for a while so we want to get him in the best condition he has ever been in.”
There are currently around 18 months remaining on Lawrence’s contract with Southampton. His future at St Mary’s is therefore secure until the end of next season.
Leaving door open for Lawrence a sensible move by Southampton
It does feel as though Southampton are making the right call by giving Lawrence an opportunity to earn a place in the squad.
That is going to be a big source of motivation for the young defender, and since he is not going out on loan, he would benefit from being in contention for game time here.
Such a situation also ought to keep other players on their toes, and if injuries do start to take an effect, having him ready to step in will also aid the club in terms of not being left short with the window closed.
Given there will be just a year left on his contract come the summer, how he responds to this challenge could also have a say on Lawrence’s future at Southampton.
Southampton are set to return to action vs Huddersfield Town in the Championship this weekend.