Puel lauds Austin’s work ethic in training
Southampton manager Claude Puel has lauded Charlie Austin’s attitude after he made a return to first-team training this week.
Austin has been out of action since early December after he dislocated his shoulder in Saints’ Europa League clash against Hapoel Be’er Sheva at home, but it looks as though he is getting closer and closer to a return.
However after over three months of recovery after surgery, Austin has enjoyed a good couple of sessions with the squad and Puel told the Daily Echo of how the striker was elated to have made his return to the training pitch.
You can see, for example, in the training session this morning, it was fantastic, every goal he can score he celebrates. It was like an official game for him. It was fantastic to see him this morning.
Austin has been in good form when he’s played this season and is currently Saints’ top goal scorer in all competitions with nine to his name.
However, he won’t be walking straight back into the team when he does regain full match fitness given the electric form of new signing Manolo Gabbiadini, who has six goals in his first four games on the south coast.