Southampton injury update on 18-goal striker pre-West Brom amid Wolves transfer interest

Southampton manager Russell Martin says Che Adams is in a 'good place' ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final second leg match against West Brom.

Adams was missing from the first leg after suffering a calf strain in the Saints' final game of the regular season against Leeds United. The 27-year-old is their second highest top scorer this season with 18 goals in all competitions and might need all the firepower they can get to break down the Baggies.

Southampton will have to do without Stuart Armstrong who suffered an injury in April whilst goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is out for the remainder of the year. Adams has now given himself a fighting chance to be involved against West Brom. Should he not be able to feature then Southampton could unleash £10m signing Ross Stewart who has endured an injury-hit campaign following his big money move from Sunderland.

"Che is in a good place," said Martin in his pre-match press conference to Daily Echo journalist George Rees-Julian.

"He is in a much better place. He has given himself the best chance."

The Scotland striker could find himself playing in the Premier League even if his current club Southampton do not make it. According to talkSPORT, Wolves are 'confident' of signing Adams on a free transfer this summer. His contract expires and there is also interest from Bournemouth and Everton.

Gary O’Neil made an admission last week that the club won’t be spending ‘millions’ on players and that could mean the club would change their approach and utilise the free agent market. Wolves have been searching for an out-and-out striker for the last few months with Hwang hee-Chan, Matheus Cunha and Pedro Neto alternating in the role.