Agustin Delgado hopes to use the World Cup to put himself into the shop window for a move to the continent.

Any doubts about the Ecuador striker's desire to leave Southampton have been dispelled by his eldest brother Marcos, who claims Delgado wants to play in Spain or Italy because of the language barrier in England.

Speaking through a translator from his home in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Marcos confirmed: "Agustin has had problems - big problems - in Southampton because he doesn't speak English.

"I was over there visiting him a month ago and it obviously affecting him psychologically.

"In Latin America, the players share a lot of things together after matches. They go out for a meal, have a drink together or just have a good chat. But how can he mix socially with the Saints team when he doesn't speak English and none of them speaks Spanish?

"There are a lot of factors as to why he is not happy, but the chief one is the language. Without speaking English, he can't enjoy himself."

Dogged by problems with his left knee, Delgado has played only twice for Saints since joining them for £3.5 million in November from Mexican club Necaxa.

He is currently away preparing for the World Cup finals with Ecuador, having yesterday been named in their 23-man squad, but the 26-year-old shocked Saints earlier this week by accusing them of not taking his injury seriously.

In a broad hint that he didn't wish to stay at St Mary's, he said: "I really had a bad experience in England. I didn't enjoy my days there at all."

His brother clarified: "Agustin wants to stay in Europe, but somewhere like Spain where they speak his language.

"If no team comes in for him, he would have to return to Saints because of his contract - but he doesn't want to go back there.

"He is concentrating on playing for Ecuador now and we will have to discuss this thing after the World Cup."