Sunday 17 January 2016 14:08, UK
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman says Charlie Austin will not be rushed and must prove his fitness before making his debut for the club.
The 26-year-old striker had not played for QPR since mid-December due to a hamstring injury, but he had been back in training with the Hoops prior to completing his £4m switch to St Mary's on Saturday.
Austin will train with his new Saints team-mates on Monday having watched them defeat West Brom 3-0 and his condition will be assessed ahead of the trip to Manchester United next weekend.
"We'll see what his physical state is because he is just coming back from a hamstring injury," said Koeman.
"On Monday and Tuesday we will do tests about his fitness. Then we will know how fit the player is, whether he is close to being part of the team or if he needs more time to be 100 per cent.
"The most important thing is that he has no problems about his fitness and that he is physically ready to be part of the team."
Koeman insists Austin's arrival on the south coast does not signal the departure of one of his other forwards, with Graziano Pelle, Shane Long and Sadio Mane having been linked with moves away from the club during the January transfer window.
"We've brought in more competition for the strikers but still nobody will go out," the Dutchman added.
"It's good for him that he is in now. He needs time to adapt to how we work and he'll know everything for next season."
