£10m Scotland Star Ross Stewart Suffers Another Injury Setback in Ongoing Nightmare at ..

£10m Scotland Star Ross Stewart Suffers Another Injury Setback in Ongoing Nightmare at Southampton

Scotland international Ross Stewart’s hopes of reigniting his career in the English Premier League have suffered another frustrating blow after a fresh setback during his injury recovery. The 28-year-old striker, who joined Southampton from Sunderland in a deal worth up to £10 million, has seen his long-awaited return to full fitness delayed yet again following a “reaction” during a recent under-21s match.

Stewart, who made his name with a prolific spell at Sunderland, has endured a torrid 18 months plagued by injury since arriving at St Mary’s in September 2023. The former Ross County forward was expected to make a significant impact for the Saints, but instead has featured for only 156 minutes in total due to a string of physical issues.

A Promising Career Interrupted

Before injuries derailed his momentum, Stewart had been on a steep upward trajectory. During the 2021–22 season, he notched an impressive 26 goals for Sunderland, helping them secure promotion from League One. He followed that up with 11 goals in just 15 Championship games, catching the attention of several top-tier clubs, including reported interest from Rangers.

That goal-scoring prowess earned Stewart a call-up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, and he made his senior debut in a Nations League clash against Armenia. His development was trending in the right direction—until January 2023, when an Achilles tendon injury put him on the sidelines and altered the course of his career.

Despite the severity of the injury, Southampton saw enough in Stewart to complete a deadline day move in a deal that could rise to £10 million with bonuses. The gamble has yet to pay off, with the striker spending more time in rehabilitation than on the pitch.

Stuttering Comebacks

Stewart made his Saints debut in November 2023, coming off the bench in a 2-1 win over West Brom. But just as he was beginning to regain momentum, he suffered a hamstring injury that cut his season short. Southampton still achieved promotion to the Premier League under Russell Martin, but Stewart’s involvement was minimal.

This season, optimism surrounded Stewart’s gradual return. He rejoined the squad for pre-season and was slowly integrated back into matchday squads. In October 2024, he was finally handed his first start for Southampton in a match against Arsenal at the Emirates. Unfortunately, his return was short-lived, as he limped off just 26 minutes into the game with another muscle injury.

After months of careful rehabilitation, he recently featured in a behind-closed-doors under-21s game, playing 45 minutes in what appeared to be the next step toward a full return. However, club medical staff reported a “reaction” to the outing and have since scaled back his involvement as a precaution.

Insider Update and Club Caution

Southampton journalist Alfie House provided an update via social media, stating: “Don’t think there’s any major problem but there was a bit of a reaction to that 45 minutes, so he didn’t play in their next U21s game. Not sure what the latest is.”

While the club has not confirmed a serious setback, the cautious approach suggests concerns remain about Stewart’s long-term fitness. The repeated interruptions have sparked frustration among supporters, many of whom were excited about the towering striker’s potential to bring a physical edge and goal threat to Southampton’s Premier League campaign.

What’s Next for Stewart?

The recurring nature of Stewart’s injuries raises questions about his ability to return to his former form—and how Southampton plan to use him moving forward. With the club fighting to remain in the Premier League, they’ll need every attacking option available. But with Stewart’s ongoing issues, the Saints may be forced to look elsewhere for reliable firepower.

For the striker himself, it’s a deeply disappointing twist in what had once been a rapid rise through the footballing ranks. From Ross County to Scotland recognition, Stewart’s trajectory had been steep—but now, his primary goal is just to get back on the pitch and stay there.

The hope remains that with time and proper rehabilitation, the 6’2″ forward can once again become the clinical finisher he was at Sunderland. For Scotland, too, a fully fit Ross Stewart could provide a valuable option heading into Euro 2024 preparations and beyond.

But until then, his journey remains a cautionary tale of how quickly injuries can derail even the most promising careers.