[Mighty T.A.L.]

Claus down but not out

Claus Lundekvam has revealed he is depressed by the news of his long injury lay-off but is determined to bounce back.

The Southampton defender recently discovered he will be out for six months following surgery to reconstruct his ankle tendon.

At 34 years of age, a six-month spell on the sidelines could be enough to end his career, but Lundekvam is eager to make a full recovery.

"I am positive I can make it back and play again," he told Southampton's official website. "But it will mean a long time out of action.

"It would be great to get back just in time to lift the Championship trophy and claim all the credit.

"But that is a long way off and right now I am very depressed. It is a big personal blow for me. I have been very unlucky with injuries in the past year."

Skysports