His ankle injury proved more serious than first thought and he eventually had to opt for ankle surgery, thwarting a potential move to Leeds. Given the two clubs' recent form, it looks like a blessing.
With Saints currently starting with 4-3-3, albeit with a switch to 4-4-2 during the Birmingham game, there is an opportunity for Prutton to come into one of the three central midfield berths.
Pele is a certainity for one the central midfield spots, leaving Viafara, Surman, Licka, Prutton and at a push Sarmiento fighting it out for the final two slots, with Idiakez out injured. Wright has been in decent form of late and Surman is finding his feet now he is getting a run in the side.
Away from home, a combination of Wright, Pele and Prutton would prove a formidable barrier in midfield, albeit one short of the kind of creativity and balance that Idiakez and Surman can offer. Burley will be reluctant to change his winning side, meaning that Surman is likely to get the nod all the same.
Certainly Saints look a more physically imposing outfit of late, with the unfortunate Dyer and injured Belmadi missing out and this has coincided with a run of improved results. That extra presence in midfield has helped Saints win and retain possession and allowed space for Skacel and Rasiak to enjoy. Prutton is very much in that mould.
Clearly Burley has his doubts over Prutton given his willingness to let him move to Leeds, so it is up to Prutts to force his way back in by showing the talent we glimpsed in the Premiership, most memorably in a goal-scoring and all-action display against Liverpool.
With Saints facing second to bottom Hull and then bottom club, Southend, in our next two games, this is a great opportunity for Saints to build real momentum in a league that remains wide open. David Prutton's return adds welcome competition for places and will help keep our in-form players on their toes.