Southampton boss Nathan Jones insists Joe Aribo is part of his plans at St Mary’s as he ruled out the prospect of a speedy return to Rangers when quizzed on the prospect of the Nigeria International going back to Scotland. The 26-year-old moved to the English Premier League side in a deal that could rise to £10 million but has struggled for game time since Ralph Hasenhuttl exited in November.
Aribo hasn’t featured since coming off late on in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Crystal Palace on January 7. Southampton have played four games since then, including the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Newcastle United, but the former Charlton Athletic playmaker hasn’t even come off the bench.
That has led to speculation over a possible return to Ibrox where he became a fans’ favourite with a huge part in the 2021 Scottish Premiership title success and he scored in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Jones was asked directly about the possibility of returning to Scotland in his press conference ahead of Southampton’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Blackpool and he ruled it out, saying: "Joe is someone I want to keep here. I like Joe, Joe is definitely someone I'd like to be here. He's been a bit unlucky not to play since Palace but that will change."
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