ARTUR Boruc admitted his relief after his first punch with the hand that had sidelined him for six weeks.

The Saints goalkeeper was recalled in place of Kelvin Davis after recovering from the broken bone in his wrist sustained in the defeat at Chelsea six weeks ago.

Any worries of a reoccurrence soon subsided.

“The only concern was if I was going to punch the ball, it might cause a little problem, but football’s funny, the first ball came in and I had to punch it!” he said.

“Everything’s fine and I’m looking forward to the next game.”

Boruc produced an outstanding late save to deny Shane Long and secure the points.

“That’s the way it is for a goalkeeper, sometimes you need to make the one save,” he said. “I’m very, very happy especially to keep a clean sheet and get three points. “I’m looking forward to all the next games. From now on we’ll just keep working hard.”

Saints had conceded 14 goals in their previous six home games before Boruc ensured the club’s first shut-out at St Mary’s since October.

“For the first game back I couldn’t imagine anything else,” said the Pole, who missed eight games, with Paulo Gazzaniga deputising for the first five and Kelvin Davis the next three.

“I had a whole month to think and I could enjoy time with my family, especially over Christmas and the New Year.

“That was kind of good but annoying as well because I obviously couldn’t play.”