SAINTS under-21s boss Calum McFarlane is hoping Juan Larios will earn his way back to the first team following his latest recovery from injury.

Larios, 21, played his first 90 minutes since October 2022 this month, helping the under-21s team to beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0 at St Mary's. 

The Spanish full-back has endured several setbacks since sustaining his initial serious injury against Newcastle United in November 2022.

Larios was not a part of former boss Ivan Juric's plan. However, interim Simon Rusk, who watched the Blackburn match, may view things differently.

"I'm not really sure what Juan's plan is. I know it was originally to get him back playing," McFarlane told the Daily Echo.

Juan Larios made a brief appearance for Saints in the Carabao Cup this season but his last league appearance was in November 2022Juan Larios made a brief appearance for Saints in the Carabao Cup this season but his last league appearance was in November 2022 (Image: Craig Hobbs / Southampton FC)

"He did 45 minutes and then 60, and now he's done his first 90. That's really, really positive, but I'm not sure what the long-term plan is with him.

"I've known Juan for a long time because he was in my team at Manchester City. He's a great kid and a great competitor.

"He's a talented player who's been really unlucky with injuries, but he's in a really good place now. You can see it.

"He's getting more and more confident. He's feeling more and more like himself. He's diving into tackles, throwing himself in them. 

"Hopefully we can just help get him up to speed, and then hopefully he can get back up with the first team and compete to get minutes as well."