Fraser Forster is getting nearer to a return to training with the rest of the Saints squad, according to Ronald Koeman.

The keeper has been sidelined since March with a long-term knee injury, but has already begun sessions with coach Dave Watson.

Koeman is pleased with the progression England international Forster has shown and, while he is not putting any specific timetable on his return, he believes a return to training with the squad might now be moving onto the horizon.

“He’s doing very good,” said Koeman. “Everything is going to plan, it is fast.

“I don’t say he will be back in four weeks but it’s going good.

“He worked very hard and is already training with Dave Watson and that’s real goalkeeper sessions.

“Everybody is happy how he is and how he is recovering well. We know it is a long time and it takes time to recover to 100 per cent. He will come back.”

Koeman, who explained Forster’s first return to action would come at under-21 level, continued: “I like to have all the players available. On one side the decisions are more difficult but you have more options.

“Fraser is a great goalkeeper. We need him tomorrow, not in the future. We need everybody. We have a good squad, for the tough Premier League.

“He can be part of the group in four, five weeks. He’s coming back from April, which is a long time.

“He needs continued training and his first game will be in the under-21s. That’s the same for goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, everybody, everyone players for the under 21s.”