JACK Stephens has revealed that he has set one specific game as his target to come back from injury, but admits: “It might be a slightly different one to what the physios are thinking.”

The 27-year-old Torpoint-born defender hasn’t featured for Saints since he limped off before half-time at Manchester Cirty’s Etihad Stadium.

The injury followed after a purple patch of form for the centre-back, but Saints’ defence has continued to go from strength to strength since also.

At the time, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said he could have been sidelined for up to 12 weeks – which would have taken Saints into the New Year without the former Plymouth man.

However, it sounds now like he is targeting an earlier return with him already partaking in individual sessions on grass, and he could be back by the end of the month.

In an interview with LiveScore, Stephens has insisted that he’s been focussing with one date in mind. He said: I have (set a target) — it might be a slightly different one to what the physios are thinking, though!

“Seriously, there is a game that I would like to be available for selection. That is my private target that I’m working towards.”

He continued: “The team are going really well, so just to be in the mix and available would be a good start.

“Things get really busy during the December period in terms of fixtures, so hopefully some rotation will give me a chance to get myself back in the team and I can nail down that starting spot again.”

Norwich away is Saints' first game following the international break, on Saturday, November 20. 

Following that, they head to Anfield the next weekend.

Then it's into December and onwards with a midweek clash at St Mary's versus Leicester. With a likely need for rotation, coming just days after Liverpool, could Stephens be targeting that as a St Mary's return?

Reflecting on the injury which saw him replaced by substitute Mohammed Salisu, Stephens continued: “It was quite a strange one really. We were away at Manchester City and playing really well, just approaching half-time.

“I kind of overstretched when going for the ball and as my foot planted, I felt something pop in the back of my leg.

“I initially tried to run it off but after a couple of minutes I had to put the ball out and sit down.

“To be honest, I thought it was an issue with my knee but it has turned out to be damage to the tendons in my hamstring.

“It can still be a pretty nasty injury but thankfully it wasn’t ruptured, so I haven’t needed surgery.”