STUART Armstrong could make his first Saints appearance of the season this weekend.

Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed the Scot has returned to training with the first team this week, after finally recovering from a calf problem.

And Hasenhuttl will now make a late call whether or not to involve the 29-year-old against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Asked for an update on the fitness of his squad, the Austrian confirmed: "Jack Stephens is still out and the rest are not so big the issues. One or two players are struggling a little bit. But yesterday we had everybody on the pitch, except Jack.

"I must say that I have a lot of alternatives at the moment."

Despite not featuring for Saints this season, Armstrong has been selected by Scotland for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Israel and Faroe Islands.

Armstrong was also called up for September's internationals, only to withdraw from the squad.

Asked if he had any concerns about the former Celtic star heading away with Scotland, Hasenhuttl said: "He was last time also injured and got called up by Scotland.

"The good thing is since this week he is training with the team. This is the good thing.

"We will have a look how he is, if he is part of the squad for the weekend and then we can decide what we want to do with him.

"He was 42 days out I think, so a long time. I think it is not the best to immediately step to the international team.

"But I think they have two important games and I think you see how important he is as a player for them.

"So we must decide what we want to do."

Saints will be without loan striker Armando Broja this weekend, who is unavailable to face his parent club.

"We have two games against them (Chelsea), one in the cup and one in the league," said Hasenhuttl.

"I think for both he is not allowed to play and this is a pity."