SAINTS defender Juan Larios has addressed his lengthy injury absence calling for "no panic", adding: "Don't retire me."

The Spaniard has been rehabbing in his native country following a severe hamstring injury suffered earlier in the season. 

Larios, who turns 20 today, was signed from Manchester City on deadline day in August 2022 but has not played for Saints in 13 months. 

He was injured in a Premier League match with Newcastle United and lasted just 12 minutes on his return to under-21 action in March 2023. 

Larios was expected to be back during this campaign but a training ground setback rules him unlikely to play a part. 

However, when an X user posed the question of whether he is "another Sam McQueen", Larios responded: "Relax boys.

"I have a hamstring injury and won’t be for my entire life, whenever I am good hopefully you will be able to see.

"During this time, I’ve trained with the team and found myself in a good level, so it's no panic.

"Please don't retire me with 20, I can do 127 rehabs if needed."

Speaking about Larios at the time of his injury in September, Martin said: “We had a big setback with Juan.

"He’s no longer on the way back, unfortunately, so he’ll be out for a couple of months still.

“Really innocuous, really frustrating for him and I’m devastated for him. Such a brilliant, brilliant lad and deserves better luck than he’s had.

"So, Juan is again rehabbing, something that’s frustrating for everyone. It’s no fault of his or the medical team, sometimes these things happen.

“The amount of care gone and the way he’s been slowly reintegrated into the group, I’m not sure we could’ve taken it any slower."