James Ward-Prowse says Stuart Armstrong return is massive

The Scottish international has only managed to make four Premier League games all season for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, after a calf injury that just continued to get worse and worse.

He’s back in training with the St Mary’s outfit now, though, and supporters could feel confident about breaking the run of six without victory that Saints are currently on.

That’s because the difference in Premier League records with and without Armstrong is both remarkable and fascinating.

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This season, in the games in which Armstrong hasn’t featured Saints have drawn six and lost seven, with no wins. With the 29-year-old featuring, Saints have won three and drawn four with zero losses.

Stuart Armstrong didn't appear for Saints this campaign until the Leeds clash in mid-October (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Saints have failed to win any Premier League game without the Scottish talisman since December 2019.

"No, he hasn't, (played a lot of football this campaign),” admitted Ward-Prowse. “He has been a huge miss for us with his game understanding and his quality on the ball, it is really high.”

"He is a great lad and when you get to play with one of your best mates, it is a real pleasure and a real boost for the whole team.

"Him coming back into the fold will be a massive boost for everyone, even before he has kicked a ball in training, to see him back out on the pitch will be huge.”

Stuart Armstrong is four matches off his 100th Premier League appearance (Pic: Stuart Martin)

The recent COVID-induced break may have come at a favourable time for Saints, with Armstrong not the only player who has returned to training since they were due to face Brentford.

Fraser Forster, Adam Armstrong and Che Adams have all also made returns.

And Ward-Prowse was asked how important it could be to get, in particular, the two Scotsmen back.

"Yeah, it is huge,” the skipper insisted. “Both of those players are immensely important to us and the way that we play, and you want your best players fit for every game, and when they are not, it is disappointing.

Che Adams scored all three of his 21-22 Premier League goals in the last six (Pic: PA)

"But these things happen in football and injuries occur, but their returns will be a huge boost for us, for sure.”

He continued: “We are in an ever-changing world and we don't know what is going to happen from one day to the next.

"It is not just in football, but across the world in all aspects of lives where challenges are put there, and we have to do our best to continue playing football, and if we can do that safely, then why not.

"But as soon as health and concerns around it are there, then obviously it has to be reviewed.”