Michael Svensson has been given six months to resurrect his career.

The Swedish centre half, who has been dogged by serious knee problems in the past two years, has been handed a six-month contract to prove his fitness.

There had been rumours that Svensson's complicated knee injury, which has restricted him to just seven Championship games since March 2004, could force an early retirement for the St Mary's favourite.

But George Burley has stuck by him with Svensson, whose contract was due to expire next month, expecting to resume full training in the summer and make a complete recovery.

Burley said: "Michael's making good progress working with the physio in the local hospital over the last couple of months.

"We fully expect him to join in pre-season training on June 26.

"Both the physio and Michael and very confident everything will be alright for him.

"There's no doubt that a fit Michael would be a tremendous asset.

"Everybody's got their fingers crossed he's over his injury nightmare and he comes through pre-season and pushes on from there."

Svensson, who signed for Saints for £2m from French club Troyes in August 2002, was initially injured in the warm-up at Fratton Park over two years ago in Paul Sturrock's second game in charge.

He duly missed the entire 2004/05 campaign but returned to the Saints side at Preston on October 1 last year.

He managed seven league games under Harry Redknapp, the final one coming on November 22 at Hull.

Elsewhere, Burley has offered midfield pair Matt Oakley and Djamel Belmadi new one year deals.

If they both decline, it will leave Burley very short of senior midfielders with David Prutton the only one left.

Defenders Darren Kenton and Jim Brennan, however, have been released.

"Matt I've not seen the best of yet but I believe he can recapture his best form. If he's fully fit again he will be very valuable," added Burley.

"Djamel is another who has had his injury problems but, like Matt, will be valuable fully fit."

Kenton was signed by Gordon Strachan on a free transfer three years ago but has only made 33 appearances for the club.

Brennan, who like Kenton joined on a free from Norwich, played 15 times since arriving in January but his six-month deal will not be renewed.

As revealed last week, loanees Kamil Kosowski, Darren Potter, Jermaine Wright, Richard Chaplow and Peter Madsen have all returned to their parent clubs.

"There have been some tough decisions on one or two players," added Burley.

"Jim Brennan and Darren Kenton were both very tough decisions and were both touch and go. I'm sure they will both get a place in a Championship side.

"The problem is we have one or two left-backs and a number of centre halves, but they are both model pros."

What do you think? Do you agree with Burley's decisions? Send your views to echosport@soton-echo.co.uk