Southampton caretaker manager Simon Rusk has explained why Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo has not featured since his appointment.
Aribo has not played a single minute since Rusk returned as interim manager following Ivan Juric’s departure in April. Despite being named on the bench in the Saints’ last four matches, the manager has opted to start Will Smallbone in midfield.
Prior to his recent absence, Aribo was a regular presence in the team, making 30 appearances this season and missing just one game — a 3-1 loss to Manchester United in September. He is also the club’s second top scorer with three goals, only behind Paul Onuachu, who has four.
Despite his solid contributions, Rusk admitted uncertainty about how Aribo fits into the current setup.
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“Joe has trained brilliantly, he’s been a great guy around the place, and he’s certainly in my thoughts,” Rusk told the Daily Echo. “But we have a big squad, big numbers, and we’re trying to find the right balance with how we’re playing. He just hasn’t quite fitted in for one reason or another so far.”
The caretaker manager also highlighted the performances of Flynn Downes and Lesley Ugochukwu in midfield, crediting them for the team’s recent stability.
“Flynn and Lesley have, by and large, done really well over the last three or four games. That makes selection difficult,” Rusk added. “But today’s performance may shift the thinking heading into next week — there will be shirts up for grabs in training.”
Rusk praised Aribo’s professionalism despite his limited involvement, noting that Downes’ return to form has further complicated selection decisions.
Aribo’s last appearance came in Southampton’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham, where he played 63 minutes. That match sealed the Saints’ relegation back to the Championship.
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