JibrinRomeu poised for Southampton comeback in FA Cup clash with Leicester
Midfielder Oriol Romeu is expected to receive “a good chunk of minutes” as he makes his return to the Saints squad for Saturday’s FA Cup meeting with Leicester.
Romeu, 34, has not featured in senior football since the beginning of 2026 and has been focused on rebuilding his match fitness.
The Spaniard spent several months without a club before rejoining Saints in November, and Eckert explained that stepping back onto the pitch has not been a straightforward journey.
Romeu most recently turned out for Adam Lallana’s under-21 side on January 22 but is now set to rejoin the senior squad after months of dedicated effort.
“He’s going to be featuring tomorrow,” Eckert revealed when asked for the latest update on Romeu’s availability.
“He has so much experience to share since he came in, and he has so much quality in the game, in both the way he approaches things and can lead others around him.
“Sometimes, it needs time. If you haven’t trained with a team for a couple of months and then you come in at a certain age, it’s not like you can just switch it on.
“It’s not that everything clicks straight away. If you look at the demands of the game, especially in the middle of the pitch, we have players who are covering over 12 kilometers every game.
“We also need that in the way that we approach games. He’s been working so hard over the past weeks and months. He will get a good chunk of minutes tomorrow.”
Eckert also confirmed that Canada international Cyle Larin is set to make his first start for Saints against Leicester after two appearances from the bench.
Larin, who joined on loan from Mallorca until the end of the campaign, found the net with his first touch against Watford on his debut and played a role in Tuesday’s victory at Leicester.
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