SAINTS’ decision to grant Jason Puncheon a St Mary’s reprieve has kept the winger out of the clutches of title rivals West Ham.

In an incredible about turn, the club have allowed Puncheon to return to the first-team fold after being frozen out for more than a year.

Manager Nigel Adkins insisted he is delighted the matter has been resolved, telling the official club website: “Jason has grabbed an oar and is back on board, rowing in the same direction with us, and we are delighted with that.”

The decision to bring the 25- year-old in from the cold comes at a time when rival Championship sides were eyeing up bids for the player.

Blackpool have already had one offer turned down during the January transfer window, and were understood to be keen on submitting another one.

And West Ham, who had a loan enquiry rejected last week, were preparing their own bid, thought to be about the £600,000 mark.

But Puncheon is now committed to St Mary’s, where he is under contract until 2013.

The surprising move to offer him a fresh start at the club comes after talks were held between the player and Saints chairman Nicola Cortese, pictured below, on Tuesday afternoon.

That followed Puncheon’s Twitter outburst at the weekend, in which he had hit out at the St Mary’s chief, saying it was Cortese – and not manager Nigel Adkins – that was forcing him to train with the youth team.

Puncheon, who was aided by PFA representation at the meeting, is said to have apologised to Cortese and accepted disciplinary action.

Saints are understood to have issued a fine of two-weeks’ wages, although the players’ union may end up negotiating a lesser punishment.

With Cortese and Puncheon having shaken hands on the matter and moved on, Puncheon will today return to training with the first team.

Puncheon could now feature in this Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round trip to Millwall – just over a year after making his last appearance for Saints.

In a statement on the club’s website, Puncheon said: “I am pleased that Nicola has accepted my apology and granted me a clean slate.”

He added: “When I signed here I said that within the three and a half years on my contract I wanted to get this club promoted to the Premier League.

“That has always been the case, and is still the case, and I will do everything I can to make that happen this season.”

Puncheon’s agent, Tony Finnigan, expressed his relief that the saga was finally at an end.

“I’m just happy that he’s getting a chance to fulfil what he set out to do,”

said Finnigan. “I’m elated for the player, because it is what he always wanted.

“I’m glad the club have given him the opportunity to turn it around.

“I sent a message to the chairman to say thank you for giving him the opportunity.”

Puncheon also received support from within the dressing room, as fellow winger Adam Lallana, below, ‘Tweeted’ a message of support.

“Delighted to hear @jasonpunch is back, big boost for the club,”

he wrote.

Puncheon also took to his Twitter page yesterday, this time causing far less of a stir than he did at the weekend.

He wrote: “Very happy man right now..thankful that everything is sorted..now let’s get to the premier league COYS.”

If Puncheon does play this Saturday, it will be his first time back at the Den since scoring a hat-trick for Millwall against Crystal Palace during a loan spell with the Lions last season.

Puncheon was also shipped out to Blackpool on a temporary basis last term, before QPR took him on a loan deal earlier this campaign.

Puncheon played just 15 minutes of first-team football at Loftus Road before returning to St Mary’s at the start of the month.

He was sent to train with the youngsters on his return, but peace has now broken out and Puncheon is available to help the club in their promotion push.