SAINTS defender Juan Larios remains strongly admired in his native Spain, as the 21 year old steps up his long-awaited return to fitness.

The former Manchester City youth product made his first appearance for Saints in nearly two years as a late substitute at Cardiff City in August.

However, Larios was sent back to the treatment room in October but returned in February to feature in three consecutive Premier League 2 games.

After 45 minutes in a 3-3 draw against Sunderland, along with Ross Stewart, Larios then played 65 minutes against both Wolves and Middlesbrough.

But medical staff noticed a reaction to Stewart's minutes, who was also making his first appearance since October, and scaled back his return. 

Larios, who has been deployed as both a full-back and as a winger in the under-21s, has so far not been considered as part of Ivan Juric's plans.

Despite this, the former Sevilla and Barcelona starlet remains popular among clubs in Spain's La Liga, having previously been linked with moves.

They could act on that interest in the summer, with Saints likely open to a deal. Sevilla were among the clubs linked with transfer interest in January.

Saints staff would not be surprised to see Larios land an exciting move, although it could depend on him maintaining fitness for the rest of the season.

Larios signed a five-year contract at Saints in September 2022, and will still have two years left on his current terms at the start of next season.

Saints, under former recruitment chief Joe Shields, paid around £6million to acquire Larios from Man City and he has made six senior appearances.