AGUSTIN DELGADO has pledged to return EARLY for pre-season training - and predicted he will finally make his mark next season.

The Ecuadorean international has been plagued by injuries since arriving at St Mary's in 2001 for £3.2m. He controversially missed most of pre-season last year when he claimed he was resting a knee injury back home in South America.

But in an exclusive face-to-face interview with the Daily Echo, Delgado talked frankly about his troubled Southampton career and also outlined his belief that he

will prove his critics wrong by succeeding in English football.

"I will be in Southampton probably until Saturday and then I will return to Ecuador for a break," he said.

"I will spend two weeks at home and be back for pre-season which is very important for me before next season.

"I still need to get physically fitter and all the running before the season is what I need. Next season will be very good for me. I am confident I will do well."

The players can choose four weeks to take off between now and when they report back for pre-season training on July 8. They will then spend a week training at St Andrew's in Scotland, before a pre-season tour in Sweden.

After the tour Saints travel to Reading (Friday, August 1, 8pm) and then Millwall (Sunday, August 3, 2pm) for friendlies before an expected home game at St Mary's on August 9 the week before the start of the Premiership campaign.

Delgado has already stayed on in Southampton to have further treatment on his injured back and says he expects to be fully fit within three weeks.

He said: "My back is getting better and the injections have helped. I'm sure that I will not now need an operation. My knee is also now fine.

"After pre-season I feel I will need about six games to get match fit and then I should be back to my best.

"The physical side is important in English football, you have to be strong and there are a lot of tackles.

"In South American the pace of the game is slower and there is more passing. It does take time to adjust.

"But I feel I can do well in English football, I am good at heading and I like many crosses."

One area where Delgado has improved dramatically is his English.

He has been having intensive language classes three times a week and this was his first full interview in English.

"It is important for me to improve my English as it means that when people speak to me I can listen and understand and then respond," he said.

"That is better for me particularly when we are training so I can understand instructions."

The 6ft 3in striker's talent is undoubted.

He has scored 22 goals in just 49 games for Ecuador and was also twice on target for Saints in just three starts last season against Arsenal in the league and Liverpool in the Worthington Cup.

But earlier this year he briefly left the club, citing differences with manager Gordon Strachan, before again surprising everyone by returning a week later.

He added: "It has been difficult not playing because of injuries, that is not easy for any player. But I am feeling better and I am happy in Southampton.

"The FA Cup final last week was magnificent, the stadium was fantastic and the fans were great, so many came up and asked me when I would be playing again.

"I hope we can repeat this success next year."