AGUSTIN DELGADO has given his strongest hint yet that he will not return to Saints after the World Cup.

The Ecuador international joined Saints for £3.5 million in November but his season was cut short by a knee injury, which he believes was not taken seriously by Southampton.

"I really had a very bad experience in England - I didn't enjoy my days there at all," said the striker, before a friendly between Ecuador and Brazilian team Internacional de Porto Alegre, which ended 2-1 in favour of the Brazilians.

"The people there thought I didn't want to play, but I was injured. My left knee was never right - the doctors failed the diagnosis."

For the last two months, Delgado has been training without problems as he prepares for the trip to the Far East. "That's all I want to think about," he said.

"I want to do a good job there and after that I will see where I can play."

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe has said of Delgado, who joined the club with fellow countryman and cousin Kleber Chala: "If he comes back and delivers what we believe him to be capable of, then I think he will excite and entertain us next season and hopefully score lots of goals.

Saints last month sent the striker back to Ecuador to prepare for the World Cup finals after deciding he had no chance of playing in the club's two final Premiership matches against Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Lowe said after the Everton game: "We had a long meeting after the Everton game and talked things over with the player, his agent and the Ecuardorian doctor and physio.

"We decided the best course of action would be for him to go home so he can continue with his rehabilitation and concentrate on the World Cup.

"We appreciate that Saints fans have not really seen him yet, but he will be back for pre-season along with Chala.

"He will then be able to prepare fully for the new season without the distraction of the World Cup or a bad knee."

Delgado finished as joint top scorer with Argentinian Hernan Crespo in the South American World Cup qualifying group, which saw Ecuador clinch a place in the finals.

Season ticket prices at Saints are being frozen for next season - but the cost of a match-day ticket for most games will rise by around £1.

There will be reductions of up to £50 for fans who renew their ticket before June 30 or buy a new ticket before July 31 and children's prices have also been cut.