Danny Ings return to fitness a boost at a crucial time for Saints

18/12/20 1883

Southampton have made a good start to their Premier League campaign. The Saints are currently fifth-place in the top-flight table, just a point outside the Champions League spots.

A player who is key to the south coast team’s chances of a successful campaign is former Liverpool forward Danny Ings.

The 28-year-old has been in superb goalscoring form dating back to last season when he fired home an impressive 22 goals. Ings has scored six times while providing two assists this season in just eight league appearances.

The forward has been highly unlucky with injuries throughout his career and has recently had a spell on the sidelines that saw him miss three top-flight games. During that three-game run, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team experienced mixed fortunes.

However, he returned to action from the bench last time out, as he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win at Brighton. Ings showed his importance to his team straight away in that clash.

No doubt Saints have other decent attacking options such as Che Adams, but the former Birmingham star is not yet at the same level as his more experienced strike partner.

With the Premier League table starting to have a more familiar look to it after early weeks of unpredictability, the Saints have hung onto a place in the top-six. Some are tipping the south coast outfit as dark horses for qualification for the Champions League, even if it is early in the season.

It will be a difficult task for Southampton to stay in the top-six, never mind move into the top-four. However, if Ings is fit and firing the Saints will always have a chance of scoring goals.

His return to the Saints team has come at a crucial time, with the busy period of festive football in the near future. It may just help his team remain in the fight for a top-six spot beyond the year’s end.