Southampton star has a big point to prove in 2025/26 Championship, he can shine under Will Still

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Southampton are preparing for life back in the Championship in Will Still’s first season in charge at St Mary’s, and one Saints star could feel like a new signing.

Following relegation from the top flight, Will Still was appointed by Southampton after he departed French top flight side RC Lens.

Still is targeting Premier League promotion in his first season at St Mary’s, and the summer transfer window will be imperative for the Saints’ prospects in the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Currently in the window, Southampton are chasing Man City ace Juma Bah, who worked under Still at Lens last season in an impressive loan spell.

Despite more Southampton incomings and outgoings still to come this summer, there is one Saints star who could feel like a new signing for the Southampton faithful next season, and he has a point to prove.

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Former Sunderland star Ross Stewart has a point to prove at Southampton

Ross Stewart was signed by Sunderland in January 2021, during their League One time from Scottish Premier League side Ross County, for a reported fee of just £300k.

Stewart’s acquisition by the Black Cats was an inspired bit of transfer business, after the Scot fired 40 goals in just 80 appearances, with 26 of those coming as part of Sunderland’s 2021/22 League One play-off final squad that fired the club back to the second tier after a lengthy absence.

Stewart was instrumental to Sunderland’s promotion campaign, scoring in the semi-final first leg against Sheffield Wednesday and doubling the Black Cats’ lead against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley to send the red and white faithful into jubilation.

His outstanding centre-forward exploits saw Southampton sign Stewart in September 2023, after months of rumours and speculation, for a fee worth £8m and £4m in potential add-ons.

However, Stewart’s switch from the Stadium of Light to the South Coast outfit has been blighted by persistent injury issues, which have forced the prolific Scot to miss 58 Saints games in his two seasons at the club.

Former Southampton boss Russell Martin signed his countryman under his tutelage. Via the Daily Echo, he said of Stewart’s injuries: “It’s a frustrating setback for Ross and is disappointing for him and us.

“I think it’s natural for him to be really disappointed after his first Premier League start to get injured and for it to be cut short.

“I think he’ll get through it at some point. These setbacks will maybe still happen, but hopefully fewer and far between.”

Sunderland fans are well aware of how prolific Stewart can be. As when fit, he is the perfect all-round number nine; able to hold the ball up, run the channels, bring others into play and score with both feet as well as having great aerial threat.

Stewart’s former Sunderland teammate Jack Clarke can redeem himself for Ipswich Town next season after his disappointing post-Black Cats performances, and now the Scotsman will want to follow suit.

Stewart will want to repay the faith placed in him by the Saints and the supporters, and he can get his career back on track in the Championship next season under Still.

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Will Still has already seen what Ross Stewart can produce at Southampton

Amid his appointment, Still was in the St Mary’s stands to see Southampton beaten by Arsenal 2-1 on the final day of the Premier League season with relegation already confirmed.

That clash was only Stewart’s fourth start of the whole campaign. However, the former Sunderland ace showed his new boss just the level he can produce when fully fit.

Stewart met a Matheus Fernandes corner with a wonderful deft header that Gunners goalkeeper David Raya could do nothing about to equalise.

The goal was Stewart’s first goal for Southampton, after almost two years and only 17 appearances, which was met with applause from Still in the stands.

Stewart, Still and the Southampton faithful will all be hoping that is a sign of things to come for the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

In the early predictions for the 2025/26 Championship, we have tipped Southampton as promotion favourites, and if Stewart remains fully fit throughout the campaign, his goalscoring prowess could propel the club back to the Premier League in Still’s first season in charge.