Southampton striker Paul Onuachu was a doubt for the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur after manager Ivan Juric provided an update on his fitness.
The Nigerian forward had been dealing with an injury concern ahead of the important fixture, leaving Southampton uncertain about his availability.
Onuachu had recently earned praise from Juric for his performances and had become an important option in Southampton’s attack.
His physical presence and ability to hold up the ball provide the team with a different attacking approach, particularly against defenders who struggle to deal with his height and strength.
Losing the striker would therefore represent a setback for Southampton as they prepared to face Tottenham.
The club had endured a difficult campaign and needed as many of its key players available as possible for the remaining fixtures.
Juric would have been keen to avoid taking unnecessary risks with Onuachu if the striker was not fully fit.
The Nigerian would also have been hoping to recover in time to play a role in the contest.
His recent performances had given him confidence, while his growing importance to the team meant his availability was being closely monitored.
Southampton’s medical team would assess the striker before a final decision was made.
