By:
Conor Martin
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been given a boost after Southampton manager Will Still confirmed that the Irish stopper will be his first-choice this season.
The news will come as a welcome boost, given that last season the Dubliner was left frustrated after picking up a couple of injuries.
There were also questions asked as to whether or not he’d feature regularly in the Championship this season, thanks to Aaron Ramsdale being at the club, but now Ramsdale has been loaned out to Newcastle United, meaning Bazunu is preferred over Alex McCarthy.
Southampton open to exploring backup options
“I think Gavin’s done really well. I think he played really well last week out in Spain. He’s done well, he’s good, and I think as long as he’s been as good as he is, he’ll play. The best players will play,” said the new Saints boss, but he added that he’s still open to bringing in another stopper to provide backup as Southampton look to bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
“I think I’ve always said that. We need to check for numbers. Do we get an extra one in? I think we’ll work that out over the course of the next few weeks.
“Ruben (Martinez, goalkeeper coach) knows what he’s doing. It’s just balancing out and identifying what we can get and when we can get it and how it all works. We’ll wait and see.”
Southampton are one of the favourites to return to the Premier League this season. They are 11/2 to win the league and 7/4 to be promoted from the English second-tier with Irish bookmakers.
Gavin Bazunu needs to grasp Southampton opportunity
Bazunu had been first-choice keeper at international level for much of Stephen Kenny’s reign as Ireland boss, but due to that injury-enforced absence, Caoimhín Kelleher has moved ahead of Bazunu and will be hoping to nail down his number one spot in the team with an impressive debut season at Brentford.
Bazunu had been first-choice keeper at international level for much of Stephen Kenny’s reign as Ireland boss, but due to that injury-enforced absence, Caoimhín Kelleher has moved ahead of Bazunu and will be hoping to nail down his number one spot in the team with an impressive debut season at Brentford.
Speaking last week about his future with Southampton, the keeper said: “I want to be here, definitely. I’m not sure how much of it’s going to be in my hands, but I’m ready to play, and I’m hoping to play here.
“All we can do is take these opportunities we get to play and just show what we can do, really. It’s nice to be back out there getting minutes again.
“To be able to start from the very start with the lads and to be able to get minutes in the games and train every day is really important.”
Bazunu can start to put his troubles behind him with a solid showing on Saturday lunchtime when Southampton host Championship new boys Wrexham. The home side are 3/4 to pick up three points; a draw is 29/10, while Wrexham are priced at 4/1 to pull off an opening-day shock.
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