RONALD Koeman insists that he is not worried about Charlie Austin’s injuries and that his fitness will benefit from a good pre-season.

Austin has had to regularly bat away accusations that he’s injury prone during his career and the fact that he’s now spending more time on the treatment table doesn’t help.

The 26-year-old was ruled out with a hamstring problem just before he arrived at St Mary’s from QPR in a £4m deal and was sidelined again for several weeks after hobbling out of the 2-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth in early March.

The striker, who has scored once in six appearances for Saints, is now out of tomorrow’s trip to Everton with a twisted knee.

It isn’t serious and he is expected to be available for the Aston Villa game next weekend, but Koeman was keen to reassure that he’s not concerned over the striker’s long-term health.

“I am not worried, but he’s a little bit unlucky,” Koeman said. “He twisted his knee in the warming up before the Newcastle game and there is no damage on his ligaments. He will maybe be out for one more week.

“He’s unlucky. He needs training. He needs game time. To get to your level and every time you get a new injury that’s more difficult to come back.”

Austin arrived to much excitement in January, but things have fizzled out and Koeman revealed that his striker is getting wound up.

“He’s very frustrated,” explained Koeman. “That’s normal, he’s new in the club, he came in the January window and he likes to show his qualities.

“Every time he’s had to step back because of a new injury and that makes it difficult.

“We hope we can use Charlie after next weekend and with a good pre-season for next season.”

The manager says that he had no doubts over signing Austin in January.

“We did all the medical tests for the player and finally the player is fit enough to sign a contract for Southampton,” he said.

Meanwhile, Steven Davis is back from the ankle injury that kept him out of the Newcastle win last weekend.