Fans have been left stunned by Aaron Ramsdale's specially designed goalkeeping glove in what appears to be a first in the Premier League.
The former Arsenal shotstopper has been on the sidelines for Southampton in recent weeks after picking up a finger injury in the 2-0 defeat to Wolves at the start of November.
It forced Ramsdale out of the latest England squad as he required surgery on the fracture and had a spell on the sidelines while Alex McCarthy and Joe Lumley shared the role of taking his place in between the sticks.
After missing five Premier League games in a row, Ramsdale returned to the starting eleven for the clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday but was forced to wear an altered, four-fingered glove as a result.
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Ramsdale sported a glove which had a much larger area in the middle, presumably to allow two fingers - one of which has been broken - to be taped together and in the same slot.
The 26-year-old produced a great save to deny Alex Iwobi using the modified glove but naturally the customised piece of kit caused plenty of reaction.
One said: "Ramsdale can't be comfortable with that 4 fingered glove....Fulham have to test him with more shots on goal."
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Another commented: "Rugby people come here. The number of times I have had to tape two of my fingers together..."
A third joked: "Worst Mickey Mouse cosplay Iāve seen."
A fourth added: "Nothing screams ārushed backā than this."
A fifth user wrote: "Damn first time I see this."
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A final person stated: "Never seen that before."
Prior to his sacking, former Saints boss Russell Martin had predicted Ramsdale would be back around Christmas time following his surgery.
Ramsdale's fellow goalkeeper Ben Foster has also played with a broken finger for Watford against former club Birmingham City back in December 2020, sporting the four-finger glove.
The refined piece of equipment did not prove to be restrictive as Ramsdale went on to keep a clean sheet in goal as the Saints claimed a 0-0 draw in West London.
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New manager Ivan Juric was in attendance after signing an 18-month contract to take over from Martin.
Topics:Ā Aaron Ramsdale, England, Fulham, Southampton, Fan Reactions
Josh Lawless