Tonda Eckert issues concerning Southampton fitness updates - it could boost Wrexham | OneFootball

Southampton closed the gap to sixth place Wrexham to three points with a 1-1 draw against West Brom

Southampton salvaged a point against West Brom on Wednesday night with a stoppage team equaliser from Cyle Larin.

The Saints are still pushing for a play-off place this season under Tonda Eckert, but they were unable to take full advantage of sixth place Wrexham losing on Tuesday evening.

The Red Dragons are three points clear of the Hampshire outfit, but their 2-1 loss to Hull City midweek opened the door to close that gap.

While Southampton have still gained a point on their rivals, the draw will feel like a missed opportunity given the Baggies’ recent form.

Jayson Molumby had put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Larin’s 91st minute strike meant the two teams shared the spoils.

However, there were also injury concerns for Eckert, with both Ross Stewart and Leo Scienza coming off during the evening.

Tonda Eckert provides Ross Stewart and Leo Scienza injury update

Eckert has provided an update on Stewart following his half-time substitution in the draw against West Brom, suggesting that it was done to manage his minutes.

He revealed that the striker has been suffering from some stiffness after he missed the recent 3-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday on 28 February.

"It was the idea now to manage and balance the minutes over this week,” said Eckert, via the Daily Echo.

"He had a little bit of stiffness."

Meanwhile, the Southampton boss was unable to confirm the extent of Scienza’s issue after he was taken off after just 36 minutes at the Hawthorns.

He claimed that the Brazilian will need to go for a scan after he picked up a problem with his groin, which required him to come off.

"Let's see," he added.

"We need to assess over the next few days.

"It was his groin that he was touching at the very moment.

"We need to see how that develops over the next days.

"We should be able to find a way to scan it tomorrow morning, and then we'll know what's going on.

"I don't know how much it makes sense to comment now.

"The best is to wait for [Thursday] morning.

"Then we'll have a scan and know what's going on."

Stewart and Scienza have both been important factors in Southampton’s rise back up the Championship table in the second half of the season.

The Scot has contributed five goals and two assists, although fitness issues have limited him to just 18 appearances in the second division.

And Scienza has registered six goals and eight assists from 30 games in the league, having arrived at the club in the summer from Heidenheim.

Larin came on in place of Stewart at half time, and he bagged his third goal for the club with his stoppage time equaliser.

The goal has left Southampton in seventh in the table, three points adrift of the play-off places.

Next up for Eckert’s side is a trip to face league leaders Coventry City at the CBS Arena on 14 March in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Leo Scienza absence could be a killer in play-off race

Scienza has been a great addition to the squad this season, and if he is set for a few weeks out on the sidelines then that could be a real blow in the top six hunt.

In particular, missing someone of his quality against an in-form Coventry this weekend could be a real problem for Eckert.

It’s also no surprise that Southampton are being cautious with Stewart given his fitness issues in the past, and Larin stepped up in his place well, which is encouraging.

Wednesday night was a missed opportunity for the Saints, and it’s one they may come to rue due to how close the battle for sixth place has become.