JEREMY Pied returned to Saints action on Monday night, as he played just over an hour for the club's under-23s.

The French right-back, who signed on a free from Nice last summer, has been missing since August, having suffered a serious knee injury in training.

He has appeared on the bench over the last week against Crystal Palace and West Brom, but has not come on.

Now, after seven months out, he has got some minutes under his belt for the academy side in their 2-2 with Liverpool at St Mary's.

Pied made his debut against Watford at home in mid-August, playing 11 second half minutes. 

But he was then struck down by a cruicate injury in training.

The 28-year-old has been since working back to fitness.

Playing 61 minutes, Pied had a hand in Saints' opening goal against Liverpool, hitting a dangerous cross from which Alfie Jones eventually hit home.

Olufela Olomola doubled Saints' lead but the Reds hit back through a Harry Wilson brace.

Martin Caceres also played. The former Barcelona and Juventus centre-back, who is yet to make his first team debut, completed the full game.