Pahars suffers further injury blow

Southampton striker Marian Pahars has suffered yet another setback on his tortuous road to recovery from a damaged ankle.

The Latvian marksman limped off in pain after just 15 minutes of a reserve match against Fulham last night.

Saints are remaining hopeful, though, and reserve team coach Stewart Henderson said: “It was more of a precaution really that he came off and, optimistically, he will be back in action soon but we have to wait and see how he is when it settles down.”

Pahars, however, has been through a tormenting two seasons with his ankle problems, twice requiring operations.

The 28-year-old thought he was finally ready for the new campaign when he lined up for a pre-season friendly at Swindon but was injured again in that match and did not play again until two weeks ago against Leicester reserves.

He came through 45 minutes and was confident of a longer run-out last night at Saints’ Staplewood training ground but lasted just quarter of an hour of the 2-2 draw before hobbling off.

It is another blow for new manager Harry Redknapp, who saw his hopes of a debut-victory at home to Middlesbrough last Saturday scuppered by two goals in the last four minutes by the visitors.