Michael Svensson is set to complete his remarkable comeback by captaining Southampton in their Championship opener against Cardiff on Saturday.The Swedish defender, 32, has agreed a contract with Saints and been offered the captain's armband by boss Jan Poortvliet - almost three years after his last competitive appearance.

Svensson initially suffered a knee injury in May 2004 and missed the entire 2004/05 campaign.

A brief comeback in 2005 lasted just seven games before he broke down again, but despite being released by cash-strapped Saints last summer he underwent a last-ditch operation to salvage his career - his fifth in four years - and continued his rehabilitation with the club.

Having featured for Saints over pre-season, Svensson has now been rewarded for his determination to return with a new deal.

"It's a massive thing for me to put the captain's armband on and lead the boys out - a real honour," he told the club's official website.

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