CHARLIE Austin is racing to be fit and ready to make an impact in a crucial period for Saints.

Tellingly, the 28-year-old striker remains the club’s six-goal top-scorer despite missing the last 15 matches in all competitions due to a hamstring injury.

Now, Austin is back in training with Mark Hughes eager to fast-track the £4m man into action.

The 54-year-old, who replaced Mauricio Pellegrino as manager last week, revealed how he believes it is fundamental to Saints’ to survival to get the misfiring attack firing on all cylinders once more.

With club-record signing, striker Guido Carrillo, a £19.2m January signing from Monaco, yet to score in nine appearances since his arrival, Hughes knows he will need to look elsewhere for some bang in front of goal.

Manolo Gabbiadini has netted four goals this season, but has started just ten Premier League games with Pellegrino regularly overlooking the gifted Italy international during his tenure.

With Hughes set to use a 4-4-2 formation in the run-in and keen to get Austin back playing quickly, it would be logical to suggest Gabbiadini and the former QPR man will become Saints’ first-choice pairing upfront, with Carrillo in reserve.

Injury-prone Austin has been out since December with a hamstring tear and, although perennially crocked, has still managed to be Saints' top-scorer this season and last.

Despite his fitness problems, Austin has still managed 12 Premier League strikes in just 16 starts in the last two campaigns and will be Hughes’ best chance at finding regular firepower in Saints’ scrap for survival.

Hughes admitted he wants to get Austin playing at the huge six-pointer at West Ham a week Saturday.

He is now back in training and must prove his fitness to be involved at the London Stadium.