Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Ghana winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is fit to return to the squad for their upcoming Premier League match against Leicester City on October 19.
The news comes as a boost for Saints, who have been without their record signing for much of the season due to an injury suffered during a pre-season friendly against Oxford United.
Martin expressed optimism about Kamaldeen’s potential to make a significant impact on the team. “A combination of many things,” he said when asked how to get the most out of the Ghanaian winger. “I thought we got him into a really good place last year. He got into a really good rhythm, really helped the team and then got a little injury and it sort of set him back.”
The Southampton manager acknowledged that finding the best way to utilize Kamaldeen’s unique skills would be crucial. “We need to find the best way to get him the ball or the best way to make him feel a big part of the game,” he explained. “He can give you moments that no one else can give you with his athleticism, power and pace. Some of the things he can do at top speed are really incredible to see sometimes.”
Martin emphasized the importance of consistency for Kamaldeen. “I think it’s consistency with him,” Martin said. “The Kamaldeen we have now in terms of the way he trains consistently is very different to the guy we walked into. I think he just needs to maintain that and keep him fit. I think that’s the most important thing. So we’ll have to manage him and use him in the right way over the next few weeks.”
Kamaldeen joined Southampton from French side Stade Rennes in 2023 and has made 44 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists. His return to fitness will be a welcome boost for Southampton as they look to improve their position in the Premier League table. The Saints are currently 19th on the league standings with one point from seven matches.
By Michael Nabary
