Southampton boss Ronald Koeman retains hope of Jay Rodriguez playing again this season.
Rodriguez has not played for 321 days after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament last season, with some talk of a March return.
"It's a long way now for Jay and if it happens in March we are very happy," Koeman said. "If it happens in April we will see but at the moment not because he needs more time."
Koeman had initially hoped Rodriguez's return would be like a January signing, but if time ticks on it may be more like a summer addition.
"I hope not," he said. "I hope that Jay can still play some games in this season, but it is all about the freshness and the shape of the player.
"We don't take any risk because the player is too good to take that risk.
"We know to handle injuries and problems because now I think for the first time I have players back after the last two or three months and that's good news."
