I've seen a lot of shouts lately that the team is begging for Austin to come back in, I think form absolutely proves this season that Robson-Kanu is the best of the three but he has not had a good return from the break. None of them are goalscorers, anymore in Austin's case. I had to have a look at the scoring stats, they are all grateful for a few penalties, including Austin. Almost a penalty at Wigan, he did take that very well. Then you have the magical afternoon at Blues where he really got us out of jail. That is literally his saving grace this season.
HRK has had more game time, deservedly so, as mentioned not for his goal scoring but for his affect on the team. Austin has had enough chances and on the whole has proved very ineffective, a lot of games you really don't notice him and the 60 minute mark comes along and you just think another disappointing performance when he is subbed off. Like the others he just doesn't seem to anticipate much and get in there on the several crosses we produce (sometimes good ones). There have definitely been a few big misses as well this season where you feel his goalscoring prowess would get the right result, I'm sure there was a stat I spotted where it was 11 big chances missed, I can't remember the source.
The above points going against him as well, you really question what he brings to the team, his legs are clearly gone, for Zohore's criticism, he has a better engine and more of a presence when he plays the role. Due to the form of HRK a change is needed and it's pretty much desperation that Austin can come in and produce, but yes I would give him one last go and hope more so the players around him can step up. It would be great for him to rediscover some form and fire us over the line but I do think it's more of a case of mixing it up and just trying something else.