Southampton FC’s comeback under Tonda Eckert has seen the South Coast club emerge as promotion candidates via the play-offs.

The key to their current Championship table position has been a revival since the middle of January, when they responded to a subpar performance and 2-1 setback against Hull City with a 13-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Southampton made it back-to-back victories with a critical 1-0 victory over Norwich City on Wednesday night, following possibly the biggest victory of the season so far by overcoming league leaders Coventry City 2-1 at the CBS Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Although the South Coast side did not put on a particularly strong performance during the 90 minutes, they were able to overcome a brave effort from Philippe Clement’s much-improved, but depleted, Canaries club when Finn Azaz scored his 10th league goal of the season midway through the first quarter.

As a result, Saints’ 16th victory of the Championship season was enough to push them beyond Wrexham in the standings and into the play-off spots on goal difference, and they are now only three points behind Hull.

Being in the top six will undoubtedly have given Eckert and his men an extra injection of confidence as they prepare for a difficult match against Oxford United on Saturday.

Following the contest, the German was able to provide more conclusive and positive information about Leo Scienza and Ross Stewart.

Tonda Eckert provides an interesting Southampton FC team report, involving Leo Scienza and Ross Stewart.

The attacking combination have undoubtedly given some critical moments in Saints’ season, with Stewart’s recent last-gasp penalty against Fulham at Craven Cottage securing the club’s spot in the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on April 4th.

It was a remarkable moment in red and white for the Scottish forward, whose career at the club has been plagued by injury since his £8 million transfer from Sunderland in September 2023.

Both he and Scienza were selected to start the Saints’ 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on March 11th, but were seen leaving in an executive car after the Brazilian winger sustained a groin injury, leaving the club officials understandably concerned.

After missing the 2-1 win over the Sky Blues, Eckert said that there was hope that the duo could have played versus City on Wednesday night, but this was not the case.

The German manager expressed optimism about Scienza and Stewart’s availability ahead of a key match against the relegation-threatened United.It was close (for the Norwich game), and we will attempt to push for Saturday to see how things move in the coming days, but let’s hope they are available on Saturday,” he explained.

Ross Stewart and Leo Scienza’s end-of-season form could decide their Southampton futures

If Scienza and Stewart return to action beginning Saturday, an eight-game stretch might determine their futures at St. Mary’s.

Scienza, who joined from Heidenheim in September, has been one of the Championship’s top strikers, with six goals and eight assists.

since a result, Saints have been compelled to place a €20 million (£17.2 million) price on his shoulders, since transfer interest has already been expressed by Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, and Brazilian clubs.

Stewart, however, is out of contract at the end of the season, and given his injury history, it was almost guaranteed that he would go on a free transfer.

If he can lead the Saints to victory in the remaining games of the season, Eckert and the leadership will undoubtedly be forced to make a decision.