FORGOTTEN man Jordy Clasie could finally be in line to make his Saints Premier League bow against Leicester City on Saturday after an injury ravaged start to his St Mary’s career.

Clasie hasn’t been seen since he hobbled off just over an hour into his debut in the Europa League victory at St Mary’s against Vitesse Arnhem back in July – the club’s first competitive match of the campaign.

But the £9m midfielder, who was a showpiece summer signing from Feyenoord, can now see the light at the end of a frustrating couple of months and may well have a part to play when Ronald Koeman’s side welcome the Foxes.

The 24-year-old arrived on the south coast as a direct replacement for Manchester United-bound Morgan Schneiderlin, but the initial hamstring problem was followed by a further set-back – an ankle injury suffered during an under-21 game in August.

Finally though, Clasie’s recovery looks almost complete after the Dutch international played a part in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Ajax last week, which included various Saints players not on international duty.

Indeed, Clasie’s return – although a big positive – will pose a dilemma for Koeman, whose side have just hit a rich vein of form.

The team that the central midfielder limped away from in July has gone through a period of transition and has started to prosper after three straight victories over MK Dons, Swansea and Chelsea.

Obviously Clasie won’t be expected to be at that level immediately and will need time to acclimatise to the league, like the rest of the new signings have done during his two-month absence.

What will help is Clasie’s already well established relationship with Koeman.

The former Excelsior man, who has been capped 11 times for the Netherlands, was captain during Koeman’s spell as manager at Feyenoord and has also played with striker Graziano Pelle.

In another respect his return could well be very timely.

Fellow midfielders Oriol Romeu and Victor Wanyama started at Chelsea, but are both in the same defensive ilk, whereas Clasie is expected to bring more quality on the ball and help link defence to attack.

James Ward-Prowse provided that missing link at Stamford Bridge with his passing ability after coming on at half-time for Romeu.

Ward-Prowse complemented Wanyama’s combative style perfectly as Saints recorded a famous victory.

Although Clasie has been a forgotten man, he is still chiefly Schneiderlin’s replacement and, with his vision and passing, will be, give time, that man to permanently cut that balance in midfield next to either Wanyama or Romeu.