SAINTS manager Nigel Adkins has confirmed that club-record signing Gaston Ramirez faces another four weeks on the sidelines.

The 21-year-old required hospital treatment after sustaining a nasty leg injury in training two weeks ago, forcing him to miss the recent 2-2 draw with Fulham.

As the Daily Echo previously reported, Saints feared that Ramirez could miss up to six weeks as a result of what was described by Adkins as a dead leg that resulted in severe swelling in the player's thigh.

The Saints boss confirmed today that the Uruguay international is expected to be out for some time yet.

''I think six weeks is probably about right, but we'll see how he progresses through the rehab stages,'' Adkins said.

''If the time is from the medical department, it is from the date of original injury.

''He is showing good signs of recovery at this moment of time, but he won't be fit for the weekend.''