DETERMINED Oriol Romeu revealed how he set “new goals” for himself 14 months ago – as he returns to the venue where his previous season became derailed.

Saints make the trip to Elland Road to take on Leeds United in the Premier League tomorrow (3pm) a stadium which Romeu does not have fond memories of.

With Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men losing 3-0 in Yorkshire last February, the Spanish midfielder suffered a fractured ankle after 70 minutes and was required to undergo surgery.

After three months out, Romeu made his return to action during the St Mary’s side’s season finale at West Ham back in May – and has featured in all but two league contests this campaign.

Reflecting on sustaining the ankle break at Leeds last season, the former Barcelona youngster said: “That time was quite frustrating. I was enjoying it a lot and I was feeling really well.

“Then that injury came - three months out and the season finished.

“It’s a good chance to go there, get a win and get the feeling of the bad way that I left last time now the other way round – that would be ideal.

“But it’s good that also, going back to the injury, that I have been able to come back and not have any more issues and compete again for a good amount of games – and feel physically strong and ready again.

“That was my main goal this season and I have been able to achieve it. Now it’s just a matter of finishing the season in the best way possible.”

Romeu has been a regular in Saints’ line-up this season, having scored against Norwich as part of the club’s unbeaten February run.

Asked whether he used his time out through injury to reflect and analyse his game, the 30-year-old said: “During the injury it was more like structuring again, setting up new goals and seeing how I could get back in the best way possible.

“It’s always hard because you don’t see yourself as close as you would love to play again.

“But you have to always be a bit humble to say ‘right, I’ve got to do these exercises because that’s going to allow me in three months’ time to play in a better way’.

“That’s a challenge that you have to face and you have to go through – but that’s me alongside the physios and everyone around the club doing a very good job during the recovery.

“That’s why I got the chance to come back and not have any more issues.”

Victory at Leeds could put Hasenhuttl’s side back into the top 10 in the top flight.