Steve Bruce has dropped a hint that Allan Saint-Maximin is edging towards his first start since November for Newcastle United.
Having recovered from Covid, Saint-Maximin has made three cameo roles in the Premier League but Bruce is eager to see him make a full impact.
Saint-Maximin came on for the last 27 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace and had a couple of shots blocked but couldn't snatch an equaliser.
When asked if he was close to a start against Southampton at the weekend, Bruce said: "Well, we obviously hope so. We'll keep protecting him.
"That's another half an hour now, so he's had probably four half-hours.
"He's getting his fitness levels back up – it's always that difficult one, but he's starting to show signs that he's ready to start."
Bruce's side had 21 goal attempts overall but still ended up as losers with the Eagles fighting back from Jonjo Shelvey's early goal.
Bruce said: "That's the most disappointing thing because you know you're not going to get a hatful in the second half, especially with Crystal Palace having a lead to defend.
"You know they're going to defend that little bit deeper and we found it a struggle to create in the second half.
"But the first half chances we had, really we've got to be a bit more clinical, a bit like they were."
