RUPERT LOWE has rubbished suggestions that controversial striker Agustin Delgado has suffered yet another injury set-back.

It has been reported on various websites that the £3.2m signing has developed a problem with his teeth, which affects the nerves down the side of his body and is preventing him from running.

But the Saints chairman said: "No one has told me he has toothache. As far as I know he was running earlier in the week and continuing to make good progress."

Despite the denial of any new injury problem, there remains a degree of mystery over the Ecuadorean's comeback date.

More than a month ago physio Jim Joyce was quoted on the club's website as saying Delgado's calf strain should not keep him out for more than a couple of weeks unless there was a fresh problem.

And a fortnight ago Lowe told The Daily Echo that Delgado could be back in first-team training by the end of that week.

Yet the 6ft 3in forward is still yet to appear for the reserves, let alone the first team, this season.

Since his signing last November he has played less than two first team games, although he did appear in all of Ecuador's World Cup games.

Delgado was then transfer-listed after arriving back in Southampton for pre-season training almost a month late.

But Lowe insisted his long-awaited comeback was not far away. "He is very close to getting fit and is working hard to express himself as a player for Saints and score goals in the Premier league," he said.

Manager Gordon Strachan said he would welcome Delgado's return, but has admitted he will only believe it when he sees it.

"People say why don't you get another striker, but I have had one for a year waiting to comeback.

"He has only ever had five training sessions but what I have seen is a hunger to get between the goalposts.

"He was confused before the summer - and he is the type to be influenced by people - but he does seem to be happier within himself now."

Lowe also defended the Delgado deal to shareholders at last week's AGM.

He said: "Delgado was medically examined before he signed and we were aware of a minor problem with his knee and we took a bit of a risk.

"We have done this in the past and it has worked. Most professionals over the age of 23 have some form of deficiency.

"We thought he was an excellent striker, who regularly scored goals for his country and at other clubs.

"Our scout Terry Cooper watched him and Stuart Gray sanctioned the deal."