SOUTHAMPTON skipper Jason Dodd has spoken of the club's delight at seeing Agustin Delgado back in action.

The Ecuadorian £3.2m signing scored twice for Saints Reserves in his comeback match this week and is now back in first-team training after spending nine months injured and on the sidelines.

Dodd said: "When I heard he had scored two goals for the reserves I was really pleased for him.

"It's good to have him back in training and nice for him. It's not much fun being injured and having him back means that he can get more involved with the lads.

"He has been out for so long that it really adds another player to the squad, which is great."

He added: "He now has the chance to go out and do what he does and really sharpen up.

"Things have been going pretty well over the last few weeks for the team and this will strengthen us even more."

Despite Wednesday's highly successful return, Delgado has been cautious about setting a date to be back in first-team contention.

He looks likely to miss the visit of Fulham on Sunday, but might be considered for next week's trip to Manchester Utd - ironically the only Premiership team he has faced.

In between, he could face Fulham Reserves at St Mary's next Tuesday (7pm).

Delgado admitted: "My recuperation is going well. The knee felt okay, much better. I was a bit tired by the end but that is to be expected.

"I am very happy to have scored two goals.

"That makes me feel good and it was important for me to have that feeling again.

"Now I need to play more games to get fully fit, but of course it is up the manager when and where that will be.

"I would not like to set a target for the first-team - maybe two weeks? I don't know but it is important not to rush it and to risk getting hurt again.

"It has been very difficult for me while I have not been playing but I feel good now. I am back in training and preparing fully and I just need to be playing again as much as possible."

Manager Gordon Strachan watched Delgado's comeback and added: "It was nice to see Tino playing again and it will do him good to have scored a couple of goals.

"That will boost his confidence and make him feel good about himself, although there is still a long way to go. He is not there yet by any means but we know he can score goals.

"We won't rush him, though. The last thing we want is for him to be back on the treatment table but this was encouraging."