Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has claimed that goalkeeper Fraser Forster could return from his long-term knee injury before the year is out.
The 27-year-old has been out of action since March as he continues to recover from patellar tendon knee surgery, with the injury sustained in a 2-0 win over Burnley.
The former Celtic stopper was expected to miss the rest of the calendar year, but Koeman says that Forster is well ahead of schedule.
The Dutchman is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News: "He's doing very well, everything is going to plan and it is fast.
"I don't want to say he will be back in four weeks but it's going good. He could be part of the group in four or five weeks."
The Saints sit seventh in the Premier League table.
