More Svensson woe for Saints

Southampton defender Michael Svensson has been ruled out for a further three months after a second operation on a persistent knee problem.

The 28-year-old Sweden international has been out of action since March but an arthroscopy has revealed damage to the surface of the right knee joint, which requires more surgery.

It is now likely to be 12 weeks before Svensson can take a full part in training.

Saints physio Jim Joyce told the club’s official website, www.saintsfc.com: “It is quite a complicated one.

“It is not as simple as merely trimming the cartilage so it is going to be around three months before he can return to full training.”

Striker James Beattie is rated 50-50 for Saturday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Blackburn at St Mary’s as he recovers from a thigh strain.

The club have dismissed claims that Beattie missed last weekend’s defeat at Aston Villa because the West Midlands club are keen to buy him.

Joyce said: “There is a genuine problem. The scan showed a small muscle tear and there is no way he could have played on Saturday.”