Why Aaron Ramsdale wore bizarre gloves with huge middle finger hole for Southampton's Premier League clash at Fulham
Published 22/12/2024 at 17:34 GMT
Southampton started life post-Russell Martin with a hard-earned goalless draw at Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday. They were indebted to Aaron Ramsdale, who put in a strong performance after his return to the team following surgery on a broken finger sustained last month. And the 26-year-old kept the clean sheet wearing an unusual pair of gloves, specially adapted to avoid a repeat injury.
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Aaron Ramsdale made his first Southampton appearance since November in Sunday's Premier League goalless draw against Fulham.
His return was a welcome one for a Saints side shipping goals at an alarming rate, and it was clear that the strugglers were keen to get their first-choice goalkeeper back in action.
Clearly still concerned about the fragility of the finger he broke last month, Ramsdale wore specially modified gloves, with one hole accommodating both his left ring and middle fingers.
The result was a slightly comic look: at first glance the England international appeared to have one alarmingly inflated finger.
But aesthetics were not the priority for Ramsdale or Southampton, who managed to keep a second clean sheet of the season and earn a potentially valuable point at Craven Cottage, with new manager Ivan Juric watching on from the stands.
The England international will hope he can stay injury free after undergoing surgery for the fracture before his return.
Ramsdale, who joined Southampton from Arsenal in the summer, was forced to withdraw from England's UEFA Nations League squad after sustaining the injury last month.
He has so far made 10 Premier League appearances for the Saints, who remain eight points from safety after their draw with Fulham.
Ramsdale appeared on TNT Sports last weekend to discuss his side's 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham, a result which led to the dismissal of Russell Martin.
The goalkeeper, having watched his team fall to an ignominious defeat, gave an update on his fitness.
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"The finger is getting more bendy, it’s getting there. It was too soon [for me to be back] for this game," he said.
"I’m looking forward to next week. It’s about making sure it’s fixed properly. Making sure it doesn’t get injured again is the main priority. I missed out on the first two camps, I was desperate to get back in.
"It’s been very tough watching the boys. Coming down here to try and impact things on the pitch, it’s been tough.
"I’ve been able to train with the boys, using my feet. I’ve been on the grass. But my job is as a goalkeeper."
Now back in action, Ramsdale will hope he and his modified gloves can help Southampton to a much-needed resurgence.
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