SAINTS goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is ahead of schedule with his rehabilitation from a serious Achilles tendon injury suffered last season.
Bazunu, 22, is back on the grass but remains short of returning to sessions alongside his fellow goalkeepers at Staplewood.
Initial estimations ruled the former Manchester City shot-stopper out for nine to 10 months, meaning a return to full fitness remains unlikely in 2024.
The Irish international has not played since rupturing his Achilles tendon during the warm-up prior to Southampton's Championship fixture with Preston in April.
He was left out of Russell Martin's official 25-man Premier League squad this summer due to Saints having 26 players over the age of 21 - and cannot be registered until January.
Gavin Bazunu has been left out of Southampton's squad for the Premier League.
— George Rees-Julian (@rees_julian) September 12, 2024
Saints have 26 players over the age of 21. One had to be left out and Bazunu was the "obvious" choice.
Russell Martin explains the decision 👇#SaintsFChttps://t.co/gy5zpt40NS
Southampton have since lost Aaron Ramsdale to injury - the length of which is not yet known - after he suffered a suspected fractured finger against Wolves on Saturday.
Alex McCarthy is best placed to replace the 26 year old while Joe Lumley is also an option. Martin confessed a decision will be made on Bazunu's future once he is fit
Speaking to the Daily Echo before Ramsdale's injury, Martin said: "He’s doing really, really well. Gav is flying. We knew he would be because of his mentality, his determination and his drive.
“The toughest job for the medical guys is to slow him down a little bit and make sure he doesn’t do too much because that’s his go-to really.
“He’s got an amazing mentality. He’s on the grass now but he’s not training with a group yet. He is a good few weeks away from that.
“He’s ahead of schedule. It’s great to see him with his gloves back on and diving around. He’s got a bit of a smile on his face, he never smiles too much, but he has a bit of a smile.
“The plan will be the same for him. We want to get him fit and training for a while and then assess the situation.
"We need to decide if it’s best for him to be here, competing with the other guys or playing football every week."
He continued: “He did an amazing job for us last season. It will be a discussion between all of us at the club - Gavin and the owners - to decide what is best.
“I know what Gavin will want to do, he will want to play football. If that’s not going to be here at that point, especially after such a long-term injury, it’s important he gets that.
“He will need to get the rhythm and feeling back otherwise it could be over a year since he played.
“We will assess what is going on here at that point. Whatever happens, whether it is here or somewhere else, it will be the best for Gavin in the short term and the club in the long term.”
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