A complete summary of everything Eckert said regarding Bristol City, Larin’s performance, and the upcoming FA hearing.

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has addressed a wide range of topics ahead of his side’s Championship clash with Bristol City at St Mary’s, including the latest injury news, Caspar Jander’s recovery, James Ward-Prowse’s return, Cyle Larin’s form, the club’s impressive record in 2026 and the possibility of his FA hearing taking place during the upcoming international break.

Eckert began by providing an update on the squad’s fitness following the midweek fixture.

He confirmed that there were no fresh injury concerns, although Jander would not be ready for the Bristol City match. Southampton are instead hoping to give him some playing time against Wrexham.

Eckert explained that Jander’s recovery had experienced a slight delay, but he believes the midfielder is now progressing well and moving in the right direction.

The manager was also asked whether Jander’s absence had helped Ward-Prowse settle back into the Southampton midfield. Eckert revealed that he had recently enjoyed a longer conversation with the experienced midfielder and believes Ward-Prowse is currently enjoying being back playing football.

The Southampton boss highlighted the quality Ward-Prowse can provide at Championship level, describing his ability as magnificent for the division. However, he acknowledged that returning to regular football brings expectations, particularly when a player is required to accumulate significant minutes over a short period.

Eckert said that managing such a workload is not straightforward, even for a player who has traditionally been extremely fit. Ward-Prowse has always been capable of covering large distances, but the manager admitted that nobody can be certain how a body will respond when the intensity and volume of football suddenly increase.

He added that the situation can be particularly difficult when a player’s mind tells him he is ready to play, especially after being away from regular football. Nevertheless, Ward-Prowse has physically demonstrated that he can cope, and Eckert believes he is currently at a very good stage.

The midfielder’s influence goes beyond what he contributes during matches. Eckert praised his professionalism and the respect he has shown towards his teammates since returning to the club. He believes the way Ward-Prowse has reconnected with the group has been extremely positive.

Eckert was then asked whether having Ward-Prowse in the side gives greater freedom to the midfielder playing alongside him.

He singled out Flynn Downes for particular praise, saying the midfielder has been excellent from the beginning of the campaign. Eckert recalled how Downes made himself available for the Birmingham match despite suffering a significant cut, something he believes demonstrated the player’s commitment to the season.

Southampton have several midfield combinations available. Eckert explained that Cameron Bragg, Ward-Prowse and Downes all offer different qualities, giving him flexibility when selecting his midfield. He even believes there is a possibility of playing all three together, highlighting the strength of that area of his squad.

The manager also discussed Nathan Wood and the progress the defender has made. Eckert rejected the idea that Wood’s improvement was simply a consequence of the summer, insisting that the player had already demonstrated his professionalism last season.

Wood rarely misses training or matches and takes his physical preparation seriously. Eckert believes that deserves considerable credit.

The defender’s ability to operate on either side of the defence has also become important. Although Wood has played extensively on the left in the past, moving to the right has allowed him to offer something different when Southampton have possession.

Eckert explained that playing on his stronger foot enables Wood to move the ball forward more vertically and quickly. He has seen this not only recently but also during the Birmingham match, where Wood showed an ability to step forward with possession.

The Southampton boss added that Wood made significant defensive progress last season as well.

Attention then turned to Bristol City, who arrive at St Mary’s in impressive form under Liam Manning’s replacement, and Eckert acknowledged the challenge ahead.

He pointed out that Bristol have had to deal with more than a managerial change. They have also appointed a new sporting director and brought new players into the squad, meaning there has been plenty for the club to settle.

Despite those changes, Bristol City have managed to win their last three matches. Eckert believes that achievement speaks highly of the work being done by their manager.

He has been particularly impressed by Bristol City’s performances during certain phases of matches, especially their ability to transition quickly. That makes them a difficult opponent for Southampton.

Bristol have also had a full week to prepare, meaning Eckert expects them to arrive both mentally and physically refreshed. Southampton’s performance with the ball could therefore be crucial.

The Saints need to be accurate and sharp in possession because losing the ball carelessly could give Bristol opportunities to exploit their transition game.

Eckert was also asked whether Southampton can simply rely on their excellent home record. His response was emphatic: never.

He believes successful teams must learn to move on quickly regardless of the result. After every match, players need to recover, reset and prepare for the next challenge.

Eckert stressed that frustration cannot be allowed to linger after defeats, just as uncertainty should not remain following draws. Equally, victories must not create complacency. Maintaining the correct mentality throughout an entire campaign is essential both at home and away.

Cyle Larin’s outstanding form was another major subject. Asked whether the striker had proved Eckert’s earlier claim that he could be the best striker in the league, the manager simply replied that he hoped the form would continue.

Eckert explained that he always believed Larin had the qualities required to succeed. He described the Canadian as a proper man and someone he would want beside him before going into a difficult match.

Larin possesses a strong presence and considerable life experience. Eckert noted that the striker is a father of three and is expecting another child. He has also lived in several countries, including Turkey, the Netherlands and Canada.

According to Eckert, those experiences have helped make Larin mature and grounded. His quality on the pitch, meanwhile, is obvious for everyone to see.

When asked whether Southampton having the most points in 2026 meant anything to him, Eckert dismissed the statistic, simply saying no.

He was then pressed on what had changed to produce such an impressive record. Eckert admitted the question was difficult because the improvement was the result of many factors rather than one major change.

He reflected on the condition Southampton were in when he arrived and the relationship between the club and its supporters at that time. He acknowledged that playing at St Mary’s was difficult because the connection with the fans had been damaged for various reasons.

That relationship had to be rebuilt. Eckert believes Southampton needed to earn the trust of their supporters again and restore their connection with the city.

He stressed that Southampton means much more than football to the city, meaning the rebuilding process could never be achieved through one simple change. Instead, it required many small steps, with trust and relationships gradually developing again.

Eckert believes St Mary’s now feels completely different compared with a year ago. He also reiterated his belief that a successful season requires strong performances at home.

Finally, Eckert was asked about the possibility of his FA hearing taking place during the September international break.

The Southampton boss insisted that although the matter is continuing in the background, he refuses to allow it to become the focus.

He does not want the upcoming match to be about himself because, in his view, Southampton’s games are about the football club.

With another important home fixture against Bristol City approaching, Eckert’s priority is straightforward: ensure Southampton collect another three points.

Whatever happens with the FA hearing in the coming weeks, the manager made it clear that his attention remains firmly on the pitch and on helping Southampton continue their progress.