Russell Martin gives latest on Adam Lallana and Ross Stewart fitness

The 36 year old has not played in pre-season so far after being withdrawn ahead of kick-off at Eastleigh last month.

Lallana is set for a return to full training in the coming days having done individual work during Southampton's trip to Girona.

Forward Ross Stewart is also back in training but Martin has urged for patience.

The boss does not want to risk Stewart's fitness by playing him before he has had a few weeks of training.

Both Lallana and Stewart were absent during Southampton's open training session at St Mary's earlier this week.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin explained that Saints are "creeping towards a fully fit squad" ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

He said: "Adam will be back training, he's training a bit now, but (he will be) back fully training this week.

Adam Lallana has signed a one-year contract at Southampton (Image: Matt Watson - Southampton FC) READ MORE: Adam Lallana opens up on Southampton return 10 years on

"We may see him in the game on Saturday, maybe not. We'll see how he is. And Ross, similarly,  he's training.

"I said to you, we just need to be patient with Ross. So, yeah, we are creeping towards a fully fit squad.

Asked if Stewart's fitness is where he expected it to be at this stage of pre-season, Martin said: "Yeah, definitely. Ross was involved and picked up a little something and now he's fine. 

"I said to you, we need to get him through a couple of weeks of full training first before we can put him on the pitch. Otherwise, we are just risking something. He's in a good place now."

Winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is set to miss the start of the Premier League season after being ruled out for three to four weeks.

Fellow attacker Sekou Mara could make his return on Wednesday evening against Lazio, while Juan Larios played his first minutes in over a year for the under-21s on Saturday.