Saints boss Martin 'positive' for home play-off leg

Southampton face West Brom for the return leg of their play-off semi-final at St Mary's on Friday

Southampton manager Russell Martin feels "really positive" about his side's chances in the return leg of their Championship play-off semi-final against West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's on Friday.

On Sunday, the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at The Hawthorns, neither side able to find a goal despite a number of chances for both teams.

"I feel really really positive about the return leg and I’m really looking forward to Friday," Martin told BBC Radio Solent.

"The first leg is always very cagey, we’re one game away from Wembley, at home where our record has been really good."

Striker Ross Stewart came on as a sub in the tie, returning from injury and clocking 18 minutes in his fourth league appearance of the season.

The 27-year-old signed from Sunderland in the summer but joined after having surgery on an Achilles tendon injury.

After returning from that injury he had a further setback in late December which Martin felt might rule him out for the rest of the campaign.

The Scot has returned to the squad for the crucial part of the season and was one of the closest to scoring at The Hawthorns.

Southampton finished the Championship season comfortably in fourth, 12 points ahead of the Baggies in fifth and three points behind Leeds who missed out on automatic promotion by six points.

The winners of Friday's second leg will earn a trip to Wembley to face either Leeds or Norwich for a place in the Premier League next season.

However, the losers will be playing Championship football again next season.

"I expect our fans to be excellent and make it really difficult for West Brom on Friday," Martin added.

"If we can play with a real energy and create an atmosphere, like we have on so many occasions, it will be amazing."