Sun 3rd May - The City Ground
By Chris Burton Last updated: 2nd July 2008
St Mary's: Could be about to welcome a familiar face
Michael Svensson is on the verge of completing a remarkable comeback at Southampton.
The Swedish defender has been sidelined for the best part of four years with a succession of knee problems, but is finally nearing a return to full fitness.
He was released by the Saints at the end of his contract in 2007, but has been a regular at the club's training ground as he continues his rehabilitation.
Having emerged unscathed from a training session with the Southampton squad on Tuesday there is now a chance that he may be offered a route back to St Mary's Stadium.
The club's coaching staff are confident that an agreement can be reached and are convinced that the 32-year-old could play a key role in the Championship next season.
"Michael did well to come through his first group training session," coach Mark Wotte told the club's official website.
"We are hopeful that, by following his dedicated training schedule, he will push on during pre-season and may even feature in one of the later friendlies."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Bournemouth vs Southampton |
| Tuesday 14th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Cheltenham vs Southampton |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Southampton |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 12:45 | Southampton vs Millwall |
| Tuesday 11th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Southampton vs Northampton |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Huddersfield vs Southampton |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Swindon vs Southampton |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Brentford |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Stockport vs Southampton |
| Saturday 5th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Colchester |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Charlton vs Southampton |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Yeovil |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Carlisle vs Southampton |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Southampton vs Bristol Rovers |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Gillingham |
| Friday 9th October | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Southend vs Southampton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Nottm Forest 3 - 1 Southampton | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 2 - 2 Burnley | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 2 - 0 Southampton | |
| Monday 13th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 0 Crystal Palace | |
| Friday 10th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Wolverhampton 3 - 0 Southampton | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Watford 2 - 2 Southampton | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 2 - 3 Charlton | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Blackpool 1 - 1 Southampton | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 0 - 0 QPR | |
| Tuesday 10th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Southampton | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Ipswich 0 - 3 Southampton | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 0 Cardiff | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 3 - 1 Preston | |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Bristol City 2 - 0 Southampton | |
| Tuesday 3rd February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 2 Sheff Utd | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 2 - 2 Swansea | |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Norwich 2 - 2 Southampton | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 2 Doncaster | |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Barnsley 0 - 1 Southampton | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Tranmere Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Walsall | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Wycombe Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Yeovil Town | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Southampton | 0 | -10 |
Sky Sports News understands a new consortium has entered the race to buy Southampton.
Southampton have handed a trial to Graeme Murty after the full-back was released by Reading.
Southampton boss Mark Wotte has confirmed Stern John is back at the club to try to earn a new contract.
Sky Sports has announced its first live games for the season, including Boro, Newcastle and WBA.
Mark Wotte is hoping West Ham United target Kelvin Davis could still stay at Southampton.