Russell Martin admits Will Smallbone is getting ready to return to Southampton squad by Christmas

Russell Martin is hoping to have the Republic of Ireland international back involved around the festive fixture schedule towards the end of the month. Smallbone, 24, has not featured for Martin's side since he limped over the finish line in Southampton's 3-2 defeat at home to Leicester City. The injury was a reoccurrence of a concern suffered in August but Martin said: "He'll be back very soon. Hopefully, in the next few weeks around Christmas. "Will has been a big loss for us as a player on the pitch as his understanding is so good and the team functions better when he's in it. Will Smallbone's last appearance was in October's 3-2 defeat to Leicester City (Image: Stuart Martin) "The people around him always look better when they play, he's one of those players where sometimes people won't understand the importance of him. "There's no coincidence that Adam Armstrong scored so many goals last year from that position with Will Smallbone playing inside him. "It's the amount of running he did for Arma to free up space for him to hurt the opposition. I am looking forward to having him back.  The academy graduate made 46 appearances in the Championship and the play-offs for Saints last season, scoring seven goals and setting up four more. Basingstoke-born Smallbone signed a new three-year contract in August 2023, just months into Martin's tenure, to extend his stay at St Mary's to 2026. He started the first three matches of this season - his longest run of successive top-flight appearances since July 2020 - before tweaking his hamstring. "It's been frustrating for us and for him because we love Will and what he can do but he will have a big opportunity to cement himself," explained Martin. "He can show everyone that he is a Premier League player, I really believe he can be a really good player for a long time with what he has."