Agustin Delgado returned to training yesterday for the first time in seven months but is unlikely to be fit for Monday's clash with Aston Villa - the side that Stuart Gray, the man who signed him, now coaches.

The controversial striker has not played a competitive game since playing in his country's three World Cup group games and is highly unlikely to be involved when Gordon Strachan takes his team to Villa Park for the game that is to be screened live on Sky TV.

But the fact that Delgado is back in training after so long out with a calf injury is welcome news indeed for Strachan.

Strachan insists that he did not sign the 27-year-old and chairman Rupert Lowe was last week quoted saying that it was Gray who sanctioned the deal.

Gray never confirmed whether or not he signed £3.5m Delgado but Strachan is nevertheless delighted that the former Necaxa man is on the road to full fitness after missing the first couple of months of the season.

The 6ft 3in frontman was transfer listed after arriving back in Southampton for pre-season training more than a month late.

And, last week, toothache was reported to be the reason for his delayed return to training.

But that will all be forgotten if Delgado wins a regular place in the Saints attack this season. Delgado has only played two games for Saints since signing last November but, with Brett Ormerod Saints' only in-form striker, Strachan was delighted to see the big man back on the Staplewood turf yesterday.

Strachan said: "I think this is the first time he's trained with me for seven months and he's having fun. He seems to be happy and he's running well. We hope that will continue without any more problems.

"Hopefully we will be able to arrange a friendly game next week so he can get some match practice."