SAINTS WIN OF MORE VALUE TO IRELAND
WILL SMALLBONE and Ryan Manning will aim to join a dwindling band of Republic of Ireland internationals in next season’s Premier League at Wembley today.
Smallbone and Manning will be part of the Southampton side aiming to fire the club back to English football’s top flight in today’s Championship play-off final against Leeds, with a victory for the Saints set to provide a huge boost to the next Ireland boss.
Luton’s demotion from the Premier League saw winger Chiedozie Ogbene’s one season as a top-flight player come to an end, while Burnley’s relegation saw Dara O’Shea and Josh Cullen sink back into the Championship.
John Egan’s injury-hit season came to an end with Sheffield United heading back to the second tier of English football.
He now faces an uncertain few weeks as his contract is up with the Blades.
BOOST
With doubts over Séamus Coleman’s future at Everton and rumours suggesting Liverpool ’keeper Caoimhín Kelleher may consider a move to a Championship club in a bid to secure regular first-team action, the number of Irish players in the Premier League is drifting dangerously close to ground zero.
Brentford defender Nathan Collins is one of the few regular performers in the top division of the English game, so Smallbone and Manning’s elevation would be a welcome boost.
Both of the sides heading to Wembley have questions to answer, with Leeds bouncing back from a catastrophic end to the regular season to find a way past Norwich in the play-off semi-finals.
Now Saints boss Russell Martin is convinced his side are primed to secure a win that would be worth in excess of £100million to the south coast club.
English-born Smallbone has enjoyed his best season in the Saints’ first team, with his opening goal in the play-off semi-final win against West Brom opening the door to the Wembley showpiece.
“It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my career to watch Will grow and turn into what he’s turned into,” said Martin.
“He is selfless, runs so much. He’s developing an aggressive side now, out of possession, which I really love to see.
“He’s going to be a top, top player. He already is. He’s such a valued member of the team by his teammates.
“He is so well-liked because of what he does. He’s been an absolute star.”
Play-off finals are arguably more pressurised than any other game in English football, but Southampton head into this clash against Leeds with a big psychological advantage.
Their two wins against Leeds in the Championship this season included a 2-1 win at Elland Road earlier this month when Smallbone scored the winner.
Now the 24-year-old midfielder will get a chance to fire the club back into the big time – and if he scores the winning goal at Wembley, his status as a Saints legend will be secure.