Matthew Upson has stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury after returning to training with Leicester City.
The veteran centre-back was signed on a free transfer by manager Nigel Pearson to add experience to Leicester s defence ahead of their return to the Premier League.
However, Upson is yet to make a competitive appearance for Leicester due to injury.
Pearson, though, confirmed on Friday that the 35-year-old is nearing a return to action.
He s training with the first team now, which is good, he said ahead of Saturday s Premier League game at in-form Southampton.
We have lots of options and an almost fully fit squad.
Leicester travel to second-placed Southampton on the back of a five-match winless league run, a return that leaves them in the relegation zone.
Pearson, who enjoyed a brief spell in charge on Southampton in 2008, has been impressed with Ronald Koeman s team and is fully aware of the difficulty Leicester face at St Mary s Stadium.
I enjoyed my time at Southampton. It s a really great club in a great area, he added.
They ve done really well to be where they are. We know Southampton are a very good club. I have to say they ve greatly impressed me with how they play and their quality.
