Southampton must take £20k-a week Ross Stewart action ASAP - Fulham evidence proves it | OneFootball

Southampton should offer Scottish striker Ross Stewart fresh terms to remain with the club beyond this summer

Having begun the Championship season where they left off in the Premier League, Southampton have turned their form on its head to propel themselves up the league table and into the play-off conversation.

It's been a difficult period for the Saints, who have suffered two relegations in three years and seen numerous changes to both their playing squad and coaching staff throughout that period, although they did enjoy a promotion during that time.

Will Still's tenure at the helm didn't go as well as nearly anyone would have hoped, with the former Reims and Lens boss lasting just 16 games in charge, winning just four before his dismissal.

From there, it looked as though their season was already over. However, Tonda Eckert, who was previously the club's Under-21's boss, replaced Still in the dugout at St Mary's, and since then, they have looked a completely different side.

Now, with a back four shape as opposed to the back three more often than not preferred by Still, the Saints have rocketed up the division, and, more recently, earned a spot in the FA Cup Quarter Final after defeating Premier League side Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

Ross Stewart's ice-cold finish from the penalty spot at the death confirmed their place in the hat for the next draw, and looking ahead to next year, they must make a big decision regarding his contract this summer.

Southampton should offer Ross Stewart fresh terms ASAP after recent exploits in front of goal

Stewart first made the move to English football in January 2021 with Sunderland, having lit up Scottish football with Ross County, with his goalscoring exploits helping the Black Cats claw their way up from League One to the second tier.

He'd join Southampton in the summer of 2023 for a fee that could have potentially risen to £12 million, despite having missed the second half of the previous season due to an injury.

Unfortunately for the Saints, his injury woes would not stop there, with Stewart having missed large parts of his first two seasons on the South Coast, as well as half of this campaign in the treatment room.

Despite this, when on the pitch, the Scot has shown a clinicalness in front of goal that Southampton have sorely missed in his absence, with his late penalty against Fulham the latest example of his calmness in front of goal.

His contract is due to expire at the end of this season, though Southampton have the option to extend his deal by a further year should they wish.

However, they may be better off offering him fresh terms altogether and seeing him commit his future to the club, having openly stated his desire to remain with the Saints beyond his current terms, which Capology estimate sees the Scotsman earn around £20,000 a week.

Stewart has five goals and two assists in 17 league appearances this season, and whilst it would be a risk offering him a new deal due to his less-than-ideal injury record, his quality is undoubted.

And it has been reported in recent weeks by the Daily Echo that the Saints may indeed offer the centre-forward a multi-year contract instead of just triggering his one-year option - albeit the caveat would be a lower weekly wage being offered by the hierarchy.

It could be a gamble worth taking for Southampton, who are clearly a much better side with Stewart leading the line, and could do with his presence up front regardless of what division they find themselves in next season.

Ross Stewart could lead Southampton back to the Premier League under Tonda Eckert

Southampton's revival under head coach Eckert has been superb, with the Saints sweeping aside any fears of a relegation battle in the early stages of the campaign to emerge as real play-off contenders in the latter stages.

Whilst their job is still certainly far from done, it has been an incredible turnaround at St Mary's, orchestrated by Eckert with the help of the likes of Harwood-Bellis from the back, Flynn Downes from midfield, and their numerous attacking options, including Stewart.

The Scot's return to the side is no coincidence in their upturn in form, losing only one of the two of the nine league games he has featured in since coming back into the squad, whilst unbeaten in their last seven.

He is still far from fully match fit, with Eckert carefully managing his minutes upon his return to the side, cautious of not injuring him once more.

Should he return to full fitness, Southampton, without a doubt, have one of the best strikers in the entire division, and one capable of firing them to promotion and keeping them in the Premier League.

Despite his injury problems, tying him down to fresh terms could be a wise move for the Saints, and though it is a gamble, it's one worth taking.