Tonda Eckert reveals new Southampton blow on eve of Norwich City clash - it involves £8m man | OneFootball

Tom Fellows has recently sustained a groin injury, and the Saints face a race against the clock to get him fit for their Norwich City clash

Tonda Eckert has revealed that Tom Fellows sustained a groin injury in the Saints' 3-2 victory over the wingers' former club, West Brom, on Tuesday evening, but remains confident that the issue is not severe.

Southampton winger Tom Fellows is a doubt for the Saints' clash this weekend against Norwich City, having picked up a groin injury in their victory over West Brom in midweek.

Fellows joined Southampton this summer in a move potentially rising to £10 million from West Brom, and has been a mainstay in the side since his arrival at St Mary's.

The England Under-21 international has made 18 appearances in the second tier this season, albeit three of those came whilst he was still with the Baggies, and has in fact made 15 appearances for the Saints since his arrival, yet to score but grabbing three assists, including one against his former side.

The winger had initially struggled to make an impact at the club upon his arrival this summer, with former head coach Will Still failing to get the best out of Fellows, and now, on the eve of their away fixture at Carrow Road, German boss Eckert will be particularly disappointed if the 22-year-old is unable to pass fit for the fixture.

Southampton have struggled with numerous injuries this season, and as well as potentially Fellows, will likely be without the likes of Elias Jelert, Mads Roerslev, Shea Charles, Ross Stewart, and Damion Downs.

When asked about the current state of Fellows' injury, Eckert said, "We'll try everything to get Tom Fellows ready for tomorrow.

"[He has] a little struggle with the groin, so the medical department is on him, and we'll try to make everything possible.

"He has been great in the last games. I think it's never easy when you move away from your home club for the first time.

"Sometimes you need a couple of weeks just to get used to a new environment, to new people around you, a new housing situation. It's a pleasure to have him with us."

Indeed, in the very real possibility that Fellows is absent for the Norwich clash, it is likely that Ryan Fraser will step in to replace the Englishman at right wing-back, having been deployed there numerous times this season already.

Nevertheless, the 22-year-old's absence would be a huge blow for the Saints, having proven to be one of the best and most direct wingers in the division across his time with West Brom, and very recently, with Southampton.

Tom Fellows had begun to find form for Southampton after his summer switch from West Brom

Having failed to contribute to a goal in any of his first nine games since his switch to the South Coast, Fellows has now found his feet, incidentally following the departure of former head coach Will Still.

Eckert has chosen to remain in the favoured 3-4-3 shape that Still often deployed during his time in charge, but for whatever reason, the German has found a new gear that the English head coach was unable to find, and has seemingly started to get the best out of Fellows as a result.

The Englishman has three assists in his last six league games for Southampton and has proved to be a nuisance for opposition defences, bombing up and down the right flank, with his pace and directness proving difficult to contain.

Just as he had seemingly found his stride, this recent groin injury will no doubt be frustrating for both him and Eckert, who will be keeping his fingers crossed that he is able to pass fit when they travel to Norfolk on Saturday.