Southampton Exile Fuels January Exit Speculation
The future of Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards appears increasingly uncertain after he was once again omitted from the matchday squad for the Boxing Day clash with Oxford United. The Saints fell to a 2-1 defeat in that Championship fixture, with the 22-year-old centre-back watching from the sidelines.
Edwards has not featured for the club since December 6 and has managed a mere seven minutes of league action across their last ten outings. This marks a dramatic fall from grace for the England under-21 international, who enjoyed a run in the starting XI between September and October before becoming an apparent outcast at St Mary's under manager Tonda Eckert.
QPR Emerge as Leading Suitors for January Move
Edwards' continued absence has inevitably sparked rumours of a January transfer window departure. Given his successful loan spell in the previous campaign, Queens Park Rangers are now heavily touted as the most likely destination to bring the player back to Loftus Road.
The defender made 22 appearances for QPR last season, scoring against both Derby County and Oxford United. His versatility was also showcased with deployments in defensive midfield. This potential move is of particular interest to the R's, who are dealing with persistent injury problems for defender Jake Clarke-Salter and fielded the 34-year-old Steve Cook alongside Jimmy Dunne in their recent draw with Portsmouth.
Edwards' Past Comments Hint at QPR Affection
While the player has remained publicly quiet about his current situation at Southampton, he has previously made his fondness for QPR abundantly clear. Upon leaving the club last summer, Edwards posted a heartfelt message on Instagram.
He wrote: “Thank you to everyone at QPR for making my short time at the club so special, I’ve loved every minute of it... It’s goodbye for now.” The phrasing “for now” was widely interpreted as a hint at a potential future return.
When he first joined QPR on loan, Edwards revealed a personal connection, stating he had family members who support the club. He said at the time: “There is so much potential, obviously it is a massive club. As soon as I heard, I was all over it.”
With game time at Southampton now non-existent and a clear admiration for his former club, a January switch to reignite his career in West London seems a growing possibility.
