---
title: "Austin must prove his fitness – Koeman"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2016/01/17/austin-must-prove-fitness-koeman/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2016-01-17T16:53:05Z"
modified: "2016-01-17T16:53:05Z"
---

# Austin must prove his fitness – Koeman

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has [insisted](https://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-01-17/southampton-striker-charlie-austin-must-prove-his-fitness-koeman/?) that he will not rush new signing Charlie Austin into his current Saints plans as he feels as though the striker must first prove his fitness before being considered for first-team action.

The signing of Austin was surprisingly announced yesterday for a fee as low as £4 million and it has certainly given Southampton fans a lift.

> We’ll see what his physical state is because he is just coming back from a hamstring injury.

However, Koeman has reassured supporters that Austin will not be risked if he is not up to the standard of fitness required to compete straight away. Austin’s injury record in the past is less than encouraging, therefore with Koeman’s decision to wait and see over the England international’s imminent availability has the potential to be a reasonable one.

![Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.cohttps//media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2016/01/456194764.jpg)

> On Monday and Tuesday we will do tests about his fitness. Then we will know how fit the player is, whether he is close to being part of the team or if he needs more time to be 100 per cent.

Saints fans will be hoping to see Austin playing in a Southampton shirt for the first ever time on Saturday as they look to cause an upset at Old Trafford in a huge clash against Manchester United.

Do you see Austin featuring against United?