Gardos hopeful for Southampton run after injury nightmare

Southampton defender Florin Gardos is now looking to string a series of Saints appearances together after making his return from injury in the FA Cup.

Saints were brought back down to earth with a bump after their midweek EFL cup semi-final triumph, as they were dispatched 5-0 by a rampant Arsenal.

Gardos, 28, completed 90 minutes on his first appearance for the first team this season following a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for a whopping 18 months.

But the Romanian admitted he had to take his comeback with a pinch of salt after the young Saints line-up was humbled.

“It was important and I’ve been waiting a long time for this. I’ve had a very frustrating period so I’m happy I came through 90 minutes,” Gardos reflected.

“But you can’t be happy when you concede five especially as a defender but I will try to build up on this and hopefully get some more game time.

“It’s the best I’ve felt for a long time and I played a few games for the Under-23s which helped today but this is a different level.

“Things change a lot in the team and there is an opportunity so I will try my best.

“It’s a great moment to play a final in the EFL Cup. The FA Cup is also an important competition but now we have to look forward in the Premier League and also for the final.”