Southampton manager Russell Martin has showered praise on midfielder Joe Aribo for his outstanding performances in recent matches, contributing significantly to the Saints’ pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

Aribo, the Nigerian international, has been a regular starter for Southampton in their last five Sky Bet Championship fixtures, playing a crucial role in the team’s impressive form.

The midfielder’s contributions have helped propel the South Coast club to fourth place in the league table, with an unbeaten run extending over the past four games.

Speaking highly of Aribo’s recent displays, Martin commended the midfielder’s excellence on the pitch. “He has been excellent. He hasn’t played a huge amount of minutes since he came back from the AFCON but he has been excellent,” Martin expressed in an interview with the club’s official website.

Reflecting on Aribo’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Martin acknowledged the midfielder’s adaptation period after his involvement in the tournament.

“It took him a while when he got back because he hadn’t played for three or four weeks at AFCON. He had a brilliant tournament with some fantastic experiences, but he came back and took a while to get back up to speed,” Martin added.

Despite the initial adjustment period, Aribo has demonstrated his quality by contributing three goals in 31 league appearances for Southampton this season.

As the Saints continue their push for promotion, Aribo’s form will be pivotal in their quest to secure a place in the Premier League next season.