David Prutton played his first full 90 minutes in ten months - then made himself available for first-team selection.

The Saints midfielder impressed in his comeback from a long-term ankle injury in the reserves' 1-0 defeat against Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.

Prutton has not played in the Championship since April and last night's run out was his first full 90 minutes since the goalless draw against Crystal Palace at St Mary's in January.

But he is now close to a first-team return after responding positively to the ankle operation he had earlier this year.

The 25-year-old said: "I felt really good, I've done a lot of hard work since the injury and the surgery and always wanted to play the full 90 minutes against Eastleigh.

"I didn't see the point in just playing 45, I wanted to see how long I could last."

Prutton could now be in contention for a place in the first-team squad for the visit of Luton Town on Saturday.

He added: "I'll see how the ankle reacts in the next couple of days and if it stands up and still feels strong, fantastic, I'll be available for selection.

"The lads did really well at Leeds but if I feel as good as I do now and the manager wants me to play on Saturday I'd love to."

Full story in today's Daily Echo