Southampton Vs Oxford Utd: Eckert says at least one of Stewart or Scienza set to be available
southampton vs oxford utd is now being shaped by a late fitness call at St Mary’s, with Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert saying he is “quite positive” at least one of Ross Stewart or Leo Scienza will be available. The update came ahead of Saturday afternoon’s Championship meeting in Southampton, with both players having been on the pitch in training. The hosts enter the match after a 1-0 win over Norwich City in midweek, aiming to build momentum in a second straight home game.
Squad availability: Eckert’s key update before Southampton Vs Oxford Utd
Eckert made clear the immediate selection focus is on two names: Stewart and Scienza. “The questions [about availability] are going to be for two players I guess. They’ve both been on pitch today so I’m quite positive that at least one of them is going to be available tomorrow, ” Eckert said.
Both Stewart and Scienza missed the last two outings after being substituted early at West Brom—Stewart with muscle tightness and Scienza with a groin tweak. Eckert’s message, delivered on the eve of the game, was that at least one could still play a part as Southampton look to strengthen their options for the visit of Oxford United.
Match stakes and form lines at St Mary’s
The meeting carries a notable historical edge: it will be the first time Southampton have hosted Oxford in a league match since November 1987, when Southampton won 3-0 at home in the top flight under Chris Nicholl.
Oxford arrive with a clear incentive from this season’s earlier meeting. After winning 2-1 in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day 2025, Oxford could complete a league double over Southampton for the first time ever.
Recent scheduling trends also frame the day. Southampton are unbeaten in their last five league matches played on a Saturday, winning four and drawing one—matching the number of Saturday league wins they managed across their previous 25 such matches. Oxford, meanwhile, are unbeaten in three away league games played on a Saturday under head coach Matt Bloomfield, with one win and two draws, following earlier struggles in Saturday away league games this season.
Immediate reactions: fitness, energy, and the latest training returns
Eckert also addressed concerns about workload and intensity after a heavy run of fixtures in recent weeks. “I have no doubt, because I think we’ve always been able to turn it on for games. I think it will be exactly the same for this one, ” he said.
There were also signs of movement on the training ground beyond Stewart and Scienza. Welington and Jay Robinson returned to training this week, though neither was referenced during Eckert’s press conference, and the match appears likely to come too soon for them.
Quick context
Southampton are preparing for another home test after beating Norwich City 1-0 in midweek. Oxford’s Boxing Day 2025 win in the reverse fixture has put a potential first-ever league double over Southampton on the line.
What’s next
Team selections will confirm whether Stewart or Scienza makes the matchday squad, following Eckert’s late-week optimism after both players trained on the pitch. With lineups due and players already warming up, attention turns to whether southampton vs oxford utd becomes a momentum-builder for the hosts—or a landmark double opportunity taken by Oxford.
