SAINTS manager Russell Martin admitted Ross Stewart and Juan Larios are unlikely to play for a couple more weeks as they build back from injuries.

Stewart has not played regular football since August 2022 with his last two years blighted by hamstring and Achilles injuries.

Larios, 20, meanwhile, has not made a senior appearance since November 2022 when he was injured playing for Saints in the Premier League.

Stewart made substitute appearances in the Championship in May but - along with Larios - was left out of the squad that beat Eastleigh 7-1 this week.

Martin insisted the Scotland international is fine but suggested our wait to see the 28 year old striker might yet go on. 

Asked for an update by the Daily Echo, Martin said: "He's fine. Roscoe's trained really, really well but he hasn't played football.

Ross Stewart picked up another knock in the play-off match at West BromRoss Stewart picked up another knock in the play-off match at West Brom (Image: Matt Watson / SFC)

"We could have tried him for 45 minutes at Eastleigh and it's the same for him or Juan Larios who has trained really well.

"I think Juan gets a bit forgotten because Ross was signed for a lot of money last year, but Juan is a really important player as well. They're both in the same place.

"They will probably not play in the games for another couple of weeks, I would have thought. I think we're probably looking at an under-21s game for Juan."

Martin continued: "When we get back from Spain and maybe the week after that because we want them to complete a four-week block of training.

"I think both of them are feeling little niggles and tightness because they haven't trained properly and now they're back training properly with the team all the time.

"It's been heavy, heavy loads. I think we just have to be patient with both of them."

Larios and Stewart are both expected to travel to Girona, Spain, with the team for their pre-season summer training camp on Sunday.

However, they are not scheduled to take part in fixtures versus either Bordeaux or Montpellier. Saints then visit Oxford United and Millwall the following week.

Following Martin's timescale, Stewart could play a role in one or both of Southampton's home friendlies versus Lazio or Getafe in August.