Larios could make Southampton return before end of season

Manager Russell Martin hopes the 20 year old Spaniard will be fully integrated into squad training in the next month.

Larios, signed from Manchester City on deadline day in the summer of 2022, has not featured for Saints since November 2022. 

The youngster has twice returned to training, including with Martin in September last year, before suffering another setback.

Martin issued a fresh update on the full-back, who could bolster the manager's options before the end of the campaign.

He told the Daily Echo: "He is here, he is back in the building and it has been lovely to have him back for the last few weeks.

Saints manager Russell Martin hopes to get a glimpse of Juan Larios before the end of the season (Image: PA)

"He is building up nice and slowly now but nicely, and we will look to integrate him back into the squad fully in the next three to four weeks.

"He has got a lot of work to do to get there. It is nice to have him and we really like Juan, we've been so disappointed for him. 

"The way he responds to everything is amazing and he is really attacking it. He is such a fighter with so much grit and resilience."

Martin continued: "If we can see him on the pitch or in the squad between now and the end of the season that would be a real bonus. 

Juan Larios made five Premier League appearances last season

"The plan is to keep him training and get him to a place where he can be involved every day and build up for a strong pre-season.

"If we get anything other than that, in terms of getting on the pitch and getting some minutes, that will be a real bonus for everyone."

Southampton's final game of the Championship season comes when they take on Leeds United at Elland Road on May 4.

There are 14 league games, in addition to an FA Cup fifth round trip to Liverpool, to come before the end of the campaign.