Forster Set For Recall As McCarthy Tests Positive For Covid 19
Saints injury problems have just got worse as it has been revealed that Alex McCarthy has tested positive for Covid 19 and will miss the game at St Mary's against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Saints have confirmed that goalkeeper Alex McCarthy will miss the visit of Liverpool on Monday evening as well as the FA Cup game against Shrewsbury, if indeed that goes ahead with Shrewsbury themselves calling off their game this weekend after they had players test positive for the virus.
McCarthy, who played in Southampton’s goalless draw with West Ham United on Dec. 29, is now self-isolating.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said:
"After the last round of tests, we have one positive case now with Alex McCarthy, so he’s out for the game on Monday and maybe also the Shrewsbury game as he has to self-isolate for a period,”
This will mean that Fraser Forster will return to the Saints goal after making only one appearance for the club since a defeat to Spurs at Wembley on Boxing Day 2017, a period of just over 3 years.
His one and only game since that defeat also came in London at West Ham in May 2019 when Ralph Hasenhuttl put him into the side to have a look at him.
Although not having a great game that day he didn't have a bad one either, but he didn't do enough to convince Ralph he would be a better option than either Angus Gunn or Alex McCarthy and he was shipped off to Celtic on loan last season where he was a great success and seemed to regain his form and confidence.
But with the Scottish season being ended early in March last year, Forster hasn't played a competitive game in 10 months and this will be a baptism of fire for his return.
But although he has come under fire from Saints fans, the fact is for several seasons he was a solid keeper for Saints and can still do a job as he showed at Celtic.
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