AGUSTIN Delgado could be in line for a place in the Saints squad against Fulham on Sunday after a successful return to action yesterday.

The £3.2m striker netted twice on his long-awaited return from injury for the reserves in a behind-closed-doors 3-1 friendly win against Millwall at Staplewood.

Although clearly lacking match fitness in his first game since the World Cup, Delgado was a real threat in front of goal in a hastily-arranged game designed to give him match practice.

The Ecuadorian, whose last first-team appearance was in Saints' FA Cup loss at Rotherham last January, opened the scoring on 25 minutes.

Chris Baird pumped in a deep free-kick from the right flank near the halfway line and Delgado got ahead of his marker at the far post to direct a stooping header back across goal and into the bottom right corner.

Tahar El Khalej swept home the second for a strong Saints side on 65 minutes following a great run and cross from Matthew Oakley.

After Millwall had reduced the arrears from the penalty spot, Baird set up Delgado for his second, the former Necaxa player rounding the keeper before netting.

The 27-year-old could have had a hat-trick but a delicate flick with his heel after Andrei Kanchelskis had set him up was deflected just wide.

Delgado showed no reaction to the calf strain that had sidelined him.

If he doesn't win a place on the bench for Sunday's home Premiership clash with Fulham, he is likely to continue his comeback by playing at St Mary's for the reserves against Fulham next Tuesday (7pm).

Saints boss Gordon Strachan has been warned over his future conduct by The FA after his sending-off from the dug-out in the 1-0 St Mary's win over Everton last month.

Strachan was dismissed by referee Steve Bennett after arguing that he could stand back in the technical area while Dennis Rofe was at the front coaching and claimed the fourth official, Steve Dunn, got the ruling incorrect.

An FA spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have received Mr Strachan's observations.

"He has been warned as to his future conduct."

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has denied rumours that he is considering approaching Saints for a possible ground share if Fratton Park is closed for rebuilding.

There are no firm plans for Pompey's new ground yet but there is a suggestion that a 36,000 capacity stadium may be built on the current Fratton Park site, leading to it's closure during development.

If the building work could not be completed during the close season, it could leave Pompey without a ground to stage their home fixtures.

But Mandaric has insisted he would rather use a limited capacity Fratton Park than ground share and, even if he did, it wouldn't be at St Mary's.

He said: "I don't think our supporters would appreciate seeing their club playing at Southampton, so I've ruled that one out completely."

Mandaric also denied having approached Reading about the possibility of using the Madjeski Stadium.

"Reading would be very unlikely," he added. "I firmly believe our supporters would prefer us to stay in our current home for the time being, even if the capacity is smaller. That's what I'd rather do."