SAINTS duo Kamaldeen Sulemana and Will Smallbone have been given a clean bill of fitness ahead of facing Leicester City on Saturday.

Ghana winger Kamaldeen is yet to feature this season having suffered an injury in a pre-season friendly against Oxford United.

Smallbone has been absent from the squad since the end of August, seeing him miss the most recent international break with Ireland.

Their return comes as striker Ross Stewart faces another short spell on the sideline, having limped off at Arsenal a fortnight ago with a calf injury.

"I'm excited to have everyone back together for the first time in a couple of weeks," Martin explained on Thursday.

"Everyone is pretty much as is. Ross came off (at Arsenal) and won’t be available but it's not a long-term injury.  It's a frustrating setback for Ross and is disappointing for him and us.

"Kamaldeen is fit now to be in the squad and Will Smallbone is back now in the squad, so a couple of positives for us."

Kamaldeen is yet to score for Southampton under Martin's management - his only goals for the club came on the final day of the 2022/23 season.


He registered just three assists in the Championship last season across 948, all of which came before an injury he picked up in December.

Asked how Saints can get the most out of the 22 year old, who is the club's record signing, Martin explained: "A combination of many things.

"I thought we got him into a really good place last year. He got into a really good rhythm, really helped the team and then got a little injury and it sort of set him back.

"We didn't quite get the same Kamaldeen back. I think with his attributes, it's our job to work out the best way to use him in the best position.

"We need to find the best way to get him the ball or the best way to make him feel a big part of the game.

"He can give you moments that no one else can give you with his athleticism, power and pace. Some of the things he can do at top speed are really incredible to see sometimes.

"I think it's consistency with him. The Kamaldeen we have now in terms of the way he trains consistently is very different to the guy we walked into.

"I think he just needs to maintain that and keep him fit. I think that's the most important thing. So we'll have to manage him and use him in the right way over the next few weeks.

"Then if we can do that and keep him in a good place physically, then we have someone who can really make a difference for us in games."