RALPH Hasenhuttl gave a brief update on the progress of injured Tino Livramento, after the defender was spotted watching his teammates at St Mary’s last week.

The 19-year-old was in attendance for at least the 3-1 win over AS Monaco on Wednesday, and will have been inspired by a strong second-half showing.

Livramento, an England under-21 international who had been Hasenhuttl’s first-choice right-back last campaign, has been sidelined since April.

The youngster picked up an ACL injury during the 2-2 draw with Brighton at the Amex Stadium, after battling a niggly meniscus concern for all of 2022.

The Austrian boss was asked for an update on how Livramento is progressing with rehab, after he had returned to Staplewood Campus earlier this summer.

"Not before the World Cup, but he is in time I think," he admitted. "I don't know if he is ahead of schedule or not, but this is not the question at the moment."

The World Cup break begins after Saints visit Liverpool on Saturday, November 12, and returns with the traditional Boxing Day matchday.

Hasenhuttl will hope to have Livramento back as soon as possible, persisting to play the youngster even while he carried the meniscus concern in spring due to his importance.

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