McCarthy's Wrist Watches On as Return Looms

In what passes for encouraging news at St. Mary’s these days, Alex McCarthy is apparently making good progress in his recovery from wrist surgery, with head coach Tonda Eckert confirming the goalkeeper is nearing a return to action.

The veteran shot-stopper underwent the procedure last month, which by all accounts went swimmingly – or at least as swimmingly as having someone tinker with your wrist can go. McCarthy’s successful surgery represents a rare instance of something going according to plan in recent Saints memory, though admittedly the bar for success has been set refreshingly low.

Eckert’s confirmation that McCarthy is approaching match fitness will come as welcome relief for a squad that could certainly use all the experienced hands it can get. Or in this case, all the experienced hands that are actually functioning properly after surgical intervention.

The goalkeeper’s impending return adds another dimension to Southampton’s options between the posts, assuming his surgically enhanced wrist proves up to the task of professional football. One imagines McCarthy is eager to get back to the business of shot-stopping, having had quite enough of watching proceedings from the treatment room.

While no specific timeline has been provided for his comeback, the mere fact that McCarthy’s rehabilitation is progressing as hoped represents a small victory in itself. In a season where positive updates have been as scarce as clean sheets, news of a successful surgery and steady recovery feels almost luxurious.

Saints supporters will be hoping McCarthy’s return coincides with improved fortunes on the pitch, though they’ve learned better than to expect miracles from individual comebacks alone.