BARTOSZ Bialkowski made a superb return after seven months on the sidelines by saving a penalty in his first Saints game since suffering cruciate ligament damage.

The 19-year-old Polish shot-stopper completed 90 minutes for the reserves in a 2-0 behind-closed-doors victory against Fulham at the London club's training ground yesterday.

Bialkowski, who made such a good impression at Saints in his seven games before being carried out in the FA Cup loss at Newcastle in mid-February, didn't have too much to do in his first game.

Boss George Burley was delighted - but doesn't expect his January transfer window signing to be back challenging for a first team place this month.

"He got through the full 90 minutes fine without a problem," said Burley.

"That's the first game he's played since Newcastle when he did the injury so it's good to see him get that under his belt.

"I would think it will take him another month before he's back to where he was.

"That will give us options.

"The boy Michael Poke is out for six weeks with a finger injury and we have Kevin Miller and Kelvin Davis as well."

Swedish defender Michael Svensson, though, came off at half-time as a precautionary measure after reporting a slight hamstring complaint.

For full story, plus reserve boss Stewart Henderson's comments on the win, don't miss today's Daily Echo.