SAINTS B head coach Dave Horseman has revealed recovering Tino Livramento has been joining his young side in training ahead of a 2023 return.

The boss labelled the teenager, who has been out with an ACL injury since April, as setting “such a good example” for his rampant under-21s group, who are competing for silverware.

Livramento’s last appearance for Saints came during a 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he required oxygen, a stretcher and eventual surgery after suffering damage to his knee.

The 20-year-old, who only made his debut in senior football on the opening day of the Premier League season last campaign, has been working behind the scenes to come back next year.

Read moreSaints coach feels 'really nice relationship' early with supportive Jones

And Horseman reveals his progress continues to the point of training with the under-21s team, meaning he could link up with new manager Nathan Jones soon.

Daily Echo: Saints B head coach Dave Horseman (Pic: Ricky Hart)

“We’re a really close club so we can tailor our training a little bit to help Tino and this is where we’re lucky,” Horseman explained to the Daily Echo.

“They add value to young players, although Tino is a young player himself. They come in and integrate with what we’re doing, and we do the same across the club so it’s no different, and they set such a good example.

“What we see is our own players raise their level, it’s been great to have them and we have had some in the best who have shown a great attitude, we just need to keep that if they can.”

As well as Livramento, goalkeeper Willy Caballero has also been linking up with the B team. He played during their 7-1 win over Colchester United at St Mary’s on Friday.

It meant the 41-year-old was lining up with players an incredible 25 and 26 years his senior, with under-21 debutants in Alfie Prescott, Tommy Dobson-Ventura and Jay Robinson.

“When you see a Willy, or Tino who has been training with us, you see that next level and we have to aspire to get to that,” Horseman said. “Willy is a fantastic character, has played for Argentina and won Premier Leagues.”

Asked if he can reveal more about Livramento’s progress with the B team, Horseman added: “I was talking to Tino yesterday after training and he was doing an individual session with Jayden Meghoma and Sam Amo-Ameyaw, and he was really impressed with their talent at only 16.

“You get those connections and it’s brilliant, we had Romeo (Lavia) train with us before he played versus Liverpool. When we’re around the building it’s really relaxed and everyone is supportive, and that’s the Southampton way.”

The Saints first-team are set to head to Spain for a warm-weather training camp on Monday, December 5. It is unclear whether Livramento will join Jones and the squad for the trip.

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