Charlie Austin: Southampton’s visit to West Ham is ‘massive’

Southampton striker Charlie Austin could return to the first team against West Ham United on Saturday, just in time for what he believes to be a “massive” away game in East London.

Austin had been sidelined with a hamstring injury following Saints’ 1-1 home draw with Huddersfield Town.

New Southampton manager Mark Hughes confirmed Austin is back training with the first team and could be fit for Saturday.

“It’s massive,” Austin said as per the Southampton site. “We can’t look beyond the West Ham game – there’s no point. We’ve got to go into that game and we’ve got to win. Points are what’s needed now.

“The fans have really got to buy into what the new manager is going to bring to the table, which they certainly did at the weekend (against Wigan), and I’m sure they will again at the London Stadium.

“We know as a team what we need to do, and, as fans, I’m sure they know what they need to do. If we come together and create a massive atmosphere in which everyone comes together, there’s only one way we can go.”

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Currently sitting in the relegation zone, Saints desperately need to put together some wins as the season draws to its close.

Austin appears confident that Saints will give their all under Hughes’ management in the last eight weeks of the Premier League season.

“As a football team and as a whole club we need to forget about what has gone on beforehand, and concentrate on this.

“Our season has boiled down to eight weeks, regardless of what’s gone on. It’s eight weeks now – that is it.

“We need to all get together as a big group and push forward, dedicating all our time and effort to these eight weeks and demand more from each other if we’re not going in the right direction.

“I’m certain that, with them in charge, we will do.”