SAINTS defender Tino Livramento insists he is “as confident” as he can be and hopes he can show supporters the form he exhibited before his injury.

The 20 year old made his long-awaited return from an ACL injury and subsequent setbacks 392 days later during Sunday’s defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Saints were already down 3-1 at the time he replaced James Bree, with the club’s relegation also confirmed the weekend before.

Livramento was one of Southampton’s top performers in his debut season at Premier League level last season and could be a star in the Championship.

But the focus for the former Chelsea man is to keep fit and try to repay the club’s staff for the effort they have put in to reach this point.

“Everyone will look at it from the outside and think returning was another mental block but for me, it’s just about coming back and playing football,” he told club media.

“No matter where I’m going to be, if the manager wants me to come in and play then I’m going to come in and play. It just happened to be Brighton, the first game back that I’m available for. I’m happy that I’m back and hopefully, my fitness continues.

“It’s been very difficult. I’ve had a few setbacks with the main injury I had. It’s not nice but when you’ve got a strong team and great physios, I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

Livramento added: “Without them, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now. I’m happy that I can now repay them by showing their hard work has paid off. I’m a footballer again!

“I’m as confident as I can be. I haven’t played a lot but I think you saw when I came on I had a few actions where I was mostly defending.

"It’s always nice to show you can do that stuff first before doing stuff on the ball. Hopefully, I can show the fans what I have been doing before and more. So I’m looking forward to it.”