Southampton boss says return of Adams 'absolutely helps' rest of team

Adams has missed Saints’ last four Premier League matches after picking up a calf injury while away with Scotland on international duty but he has been deemed ready to return after joining first team training this week.

The 26-year-old is Saints leading scorer in all competitions this season with ten goals but it’s his general work both on and off the ball that has made him such a vital absence over the past month.

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Now though, Adams is fit once again Selles says he has stayed in match-shape ‘surprisingly well’ while insisting that ‘it absolutely helps’ his Saints teammates having their focal point back available. 

“Che has been working really hard in the last month since he's been out from the national team injury,” Selles told the Daily Echo. 

“He has done really well in keeping his shape and keeping himself fit enough so when he joined partially in training in the last few days, he looked like a player ready to play. 

“We'll look at whether he can start or come in from the bench. It's surprisingly well the way he has adjusted and kept himself ready for the games.”

Saints celebrate victory at Bournemouth in October. (Image: Richard Crease)

While Adams himself would admit that he should have scored many more Premier League goals than the five he’s mustered, the lack of alternatives at the club and the striker’s all-round game have made him a crucial component of the side.

In Adams’ absence and with Paul Onuachu deemed an afterthought, Selles has experimented with Sekou Mara up front before shifting to a formation without a natural striker. 

It remains to be seen whether Adams will slot straight back into the team as Saints prepare to face the side they beat 1-0 in October - courtesy of Adams’ early header.

“Che is a player that knows the Premier League,” Selles added when asked by the Daily Echo as to how Adams’ return helps the rest of his team. 

“He's played a lot of games, he scored against these opponents in the last game. It gives the team some kind of security when you have him around the team or even starting. 

“That bit of familiarity or knowledge about the opponent and knowing the man on your right and left, it absolutely helps the other players to understand than with some other cases. So yes, to have Che is absolutely an advantage for us.”

Saints enter the midweek round of Premier League fixtures bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety while they find themselves nine points adrift of Thursday’s opponents Bournemouth.

With just six games remaining to save their top-flight status - three of those pitting Selles’s side against Newcastle United, Brighton, and Liverpool - the South Coast clash presents Saints with one of their final opportunities to close the gap on those ahead of them and spark a great escape.