Saints defender retires

Southampton defender Claus Lundekvam has retired from the game after losing his battle with a long-standing ankle injury.

The 35-year-old underwent surgery on his ankle tendon last week and had hoped to train with the Saints’ first team this month in a bid to return to action before the end of the season.

However the Norwegian international, who made over 400 appearances in a 12-year stint on the south coast, has endured more complications in his rehabilitation and has now admitted defeat in his battle to regain match fitness.

He told BBC Radio Solent: “That’s it for me, it’s game over. It’s very sad, but it hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“It’s very difficult to come to terms with. Maybe once the season is finished and the players have gone I’ll find it hard to deal with.”