Dom Ballard, a young player for the Saints, is hoping to get back to full strength in time for the 2024–25 preseason after a chronic injury ended his first senior season.
The young player has been sidelined since late November due to a patella injury he sustained during a League One match against Wycombe Wanderers while on loan at Reading.
Ballard had successful knee surgery in London back in December, and he has since returned to Saints for treatment.
During his brief time with the Royals, Ballard recorded five goals and two assists in 12 games before an injury kept him out of the game for the rest of the season.
A week before he suffered the first major setback of his young career, he also scored three goals for England’s under-19 team.
“It’s important for me to be back for pre-season and to be back with the lads again. Who knows where it will take me,” Ballard told the club’s media.