Burnley’s Unfinished Business: The Chase for Tella Heats Up
Even with the departure of key players like James Ward-Prowse and Tino Livramento, Southampton’s Championship-level squad remains formidable. Many of the players who represented them in the Premier League last season are still on board. Additionally, the return of loanees from the 2022-23 season, including Nathan Tella, has bolstered their ranks.
Tella’s Triumphant Return
After a successful loan stint with Championship title-winners Burnley, Nathan Tella made a notable comeback to Southampton. His impact was immediate, marking his presence in the season opener against Sheffield Wednesday. An early shot from Tella was deflected into the net off Adam Armstrong’s head. Under Russell Martin’s guidance,
Tella’s potential seems boundless. However, as the September 1 transfer deadline looms, questions arise about his future with the Saints.
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St Johnstone forced to pull out of Burnley friendly due to injury list as Drey Wright update is latest blow
The Perth side had planned to travel south to plug a fixture gap but will now remain at McDiarmid Park
St Johnstone have been forced to pull out of a planned friendly with English Premier League side Burnley due to a growing injury list.
Steven MacLean’s men were to travel south this week for the game to plug the fixture gap left by being knocked out of the League Cup.
But, with the treatment room becoming even busier, the Perth boss was left with little option but to call it off.
The latest blow is that last season’s player of the year, Drey Wright, faces weeks on the sidelines.
“I was going to take a game against Burnley but we’re not going any more because of the injury list,” MacLean revealed yesterday. “We have too many players out to risk it.
“It made sense a couple of weeks ago when it was first arranged but given what’s happened since, we’ve decided we just can’t do it.
“It’s unfortunate because we wanted to get a game and a few weeks ago it looked like it would have been a good one for us. We’re just going to work everyone hard here instead.”
On Wright’s injury, MacLean said: “Drey’s scan has shown a problem with the tendon at the bottom of his calf so he’ll be out for a few weeks.
“It’s a bit more complicated than just a calf injury. He actually feels okay but it’s not in a great position so we have to be careful with it.
“It was an innocuous one, we have watched the footage of him doing it back and he just turned when it happened.
“Obviously losing him for a few weeks is another blow, he was our Player of the Year last season, but hopefully he’ll get back sooner rather than later.”
Having the break this week might help Saints get a few absentees back training.
MacLean said: “James Brown and Chris Kane are getting closer, Nicky Clark and Cammy MacPherson are starting to run this week too. Hopefully they won’t show any reaction to that.
“Tony Gallacher had a sore neck last weekend so hopefully he’ll be better this week and back training.”
Reflecting on Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Ross County, MacLean says the data report backs up his immediate post-match thoughts.
“Your eye doesn’t lie and these days it’s backed up by the data the sports scientist has access to,” he explained.
“He sent me all the details on Saturday night so you can show them they didn’t run as much as they did against Hearts and tackle as much as they did against Hearts.
“I was disappointed with that after the game and it still disappoints me – it should disappoint the players too.
“You can’t hide from it. The science tells you what’s happened, it’s not just an opinion now – it’s there in black and white.
“You have to do the fundamentals in this league or you won’t win games, it’s as simple as that.”
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