James Ward-Prowse is set to be back on the bench for Saints after two and a half months out injured.

The midfielder suffered a fractured foot against Swansea at the end of September and has been out ever since.

However, he is set to give Saints boss Ronald Koeman a timely boost by returning to the squad that travels to Burnley at the weekend.

Koeman is taking 22 players with him as the squad are staying up north between the games at Burnley and Sheffield United, and Ward-Prowse may well make a first team return during those two fixtures.

Morgan Schniederlin will also travel, though is unlikely to be quite fit enough to face Burnley, while Toby Alderweireld is available for selection again as the Saints injury crisis starts to ease.

Koeman said: “James Ward-Prowse is back on the training session with the group.

“He is back after his injury and OK he needs more time but he will be on the squad for the two games because we stay over there for the Saturday game Burnley and the Tuesday game Sheffield and he’s one of the 22 players who will travel with the team.

“Maybe on Saturday he will be already on the bench and if not on Tuesday.”

On the rest of his injured stars Koeman reported: “Cork is out for more weeks.

“Morgan Schneiderlin I don’t expect him back.

“He will travel with the group and we have good hope that he will be fit for Tuesday.

“Toby Alderweireld did the usual training session and will be fit again for Saturday.”