Eckert gives update on Southampton team news as Harwood-Bellis’ future remains unclear | OneFootball

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has given an update on his side’s team news as the future of key defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis remains unclear.

The Saints will welcome West Ham to St Mary’s in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

The two sides are among the favourites for promotion in the Championship this season, but both sit in the bottom half after the opening two fixtures. West Ham are yet to earn three points, whilst Southampton are still working to overturn the four-point deduction they kicked off the campaign with.

“I honestly don’t know yet,” Eckert answered on whether the cup tie represents an opportunity to rotate his squad. “I really don’t know yet.

“It’s been the first 90 for Finn Azaz and the first 90 for Woody in a couple of weeks. Cyle (Larin) has been pushing minutes. Tom (Fellows) was on the pitch for a long time and Kuryu (Matsuki) was on the pitch for a long time. Flynn Downes at the moment is just so important for us.

“So we need to see. That doesn’t mean that they don’t get minutes. I’m not sure if they will all start but let’s see.”

The German coach continued: “We play to win every single game. And at the same time that always takes into consideration, always, how the fitness levels of players are.

“But the target is clear. We play to win on Tuesday, independent of the competition.”

The Saints defeated Stoke City 3-1 at the weekend. However, the victory came in the absence of key defender Harwood-Bellis. The England international was left out of the squad amidst uncertainty over his future. The 24-year-old is being targeted by Aston Villa following Ezri Konsa’s move to Arsenal.

Asked when he expects an update on transfer news, Eckert said: “The last ten days is the time when things start to move. So let’s see.”