Gabbiadini 'has to be prepared', says Pellegrino

Gabbiadini has struggled to live up to expectations this season on the South Coast. After scoring six goals in four games following his £14.6 million move on deadline day in January 2017, the Italian has had an inconsistent place in a Saints side that finds itself amidst a relegation scrap. 

In fact, he has only started one game this calendar year. Pellegrino insists, however, that the striker will have to be switched-on ahead of Saturday's tie with West Brom: "Manolo has to be prepared; the players have to be really well-prepared."

Pellegrino will no doubt be hoping Gabbiadini can repeat his cup form from last year when he scored two goals in the final at Wembley - a final that Southampton would end up controversially losing 3-2, with the Italian having a potential hat-trick strike ruled out in a dubious offside call.  

The Argentine manager now realises how significant Gabbiadini's involvement could be in Southampton's upcoming run of winnable fixtures: "He's a really important player for the club; we need him."

After the club completed a club record signing to bring in Guido Carrillo from Monaco last month, there is now plenty of healthy competition for places in Pellegrino's forward line. Gabbiadini will have to take his chances on Saturday to reinstate his starting position at St. Mary's.