Saints set for Holmes boost

Southampton winger Lee Holmes is set to return to action after suffering a recurrence of his knee injury.

The former Derby star has been sidelined for just over a month, but he is now ready to hand Head Coach Mark Wotte a boost by playing for the Reserves as they take on Brighton next week.

The 22-year-old has been pencilled in for a reserve game in order to build-up his fitness as he steps up his recovery from a troublesome knee problem that has kept Holmes out of action for much of the season.

“Lee is doing very well, he had some injections and is recovering okay,” said Wotte.

“I expect to see him in a reserve game next week because my philosophy is that every player has to play in the reserve team before they can be considered for the first team again after a long lay-off.

“Lee needs two or three games because he won’t be ready to come straight back into Championship action. There is a long way to go until May 3 and we don’t want to rush him back too early.”