After a lengthy absence due to injury, Will Smallbone made his long-awaited return to the pitch during Southampton’s 3-0 victory over Swansea City in the FA Cup third round. The 24-year-old midfielder, who has been sidelined since October, was introduced as a second-half substitute, marking his first appearance in months.
Smallbone, who has 20 Premier League appearances under his belt, expressed his determination to make a positive impact for Southampton in 2025. Despite the challenges posed by his injury, he remained optimistic about his future contributions to the team.
Will Smallbone said: “It’s been… I’m just trying to keep positive through the last few months. For 2025, I just want to have a positive year and help Southampton in any way I can. It meant the world to me to be back. It’s been tough to be out for so long and to watch and feel helpless from afar to help the club in any way.”
Smallbone’s return was bittersweet, as he played through injury to finish a previous match, which ultimately cost him three additional months on the sidelines. Reflecting on his eagerness to contribute to the team, he admitted that his premature return may have been a mistake.
Smallbone continued: “It was just a re-injury but I think I came back maybe a bit too soon and maybe that’s my own eagerness to try and help the team. That’s obviously hindered me until now.”
The midfielder also discussed his relationship with the new manager, acknowledging the challenges of adapting to different managerial styles throughout the season.
Smallbone added: “I don’t know, you have to ask him! I think we’ve had two different managers this year with obviously two different styles and I think there are benefits to both styles. The last few weeks I have tried to train the best I can, as I would with any situation, and I have had a good conversation with the manager. I just want to help the team however I can and however he sees me doing that, I’ll be more than happy to help us get going in a positive direction.”
Despite the match being well in hand when he entered the fray, Smallbone emphasized the importance of the team’s victory and the clean sheet, seeing it as a foundation for building confidence within the squad.
Smallbone insisted: “It’s very important. I think every game of football that we go into, we want to win and Sunday was no different. I think it was important that we came into this to win and get a few goals in front of our fans. Importantly get a clean sheet to build off of, it’s a big example of an opportunity to build confidence and we have done that.”
Smallbone’s return to action was a positive step for both him and Southampton, as they look to leverage this momentum in the ongoing season.
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