Michael Svensson made a welcome return to the Saints side after 18 months out injured and says he is up to the pace of the Championship.

The Swedish centre-half was drafted in earlier than expected after Claus Lundekvam picked up a stomach injury, ruling him out for a month.

Svensson was straight back into the side to face Preston and played as if he had never been away, despite 18 months out following two frustrating knee ops.

There is now a two week break for Svensson to recover but with Lundekvam sidelined for the rest of October and Darren Powell now banned for three games he is going to have to play in a new look backline - sometimes three times in a week.

But he thinks he'll be up to it.

He said: "I think I can play all these games.

"It's a two week break until the next game and then Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and that's a new test for me.

"Preston was a nice workout and there was plenty to do but it was good to be back. I missed it. Eighteen months out is a long time and I'm happy to be back.

"I didn't feel too bad.

"I had quite a decent game and that's a bonus. They put a lot of balls forward so I was busy.

"The timing's still there but I've still got a little bit to go with the fitness level.

"I was a bit tired at the end but we didn't play well and hit too many long balls."

Svensson, who received 90 minutes of adulation from the Saints fans, was also a lot less nervous over his comeback than he expected.

He said: "I wasn't too bad, I thought it would be worse.

"I'm just glad to get back and it was so nice to see the fans travelling all the way up to support us.

"This is what I've been targeting in my mind the whole way.

"I've got good support from the fans. When I've gone to watch games they've all asked how I am and when I'll be back."

Powell has until this evening to appeal over his three match ban for poleaxing Reading's Kevin Doyle after referee Graham Poll reviewed a video of the incident.

However, Saints boss Harry Redknapp said: "I don't think we're going to appeal.

"If someone's in the wrong you accept it."

Match report, reaction & pics in Monday Sport inside tonight's Daily Echo.