MANOLO Gabbiadini admits he wants to continue to grow as a player at Saints, despite rumours of a potential switch back to Italy.

The Italy international has struggled for regular games and goals since he first burst on to the scene at St Mary’s, netting six times in his first four matches after his £14.6m move from Napoli.

This season was frustrating for the 26-year-old and that led to him being linked with a move back to his homeland, with Bologna and Lazio reportedly interested.

As such, there was a feeling at St Mary’s that his huge goal at Swansea in the pen-ultimate game of the Premier League campaign, which kept Saints up in the top-flight, was perhaps his final act for the club.

However, the five-goal striker, quashed talk of bidding farewell to Saints and is ready to give it another shot next season.

Speaking to an Italian radio station, he said: “I’m still young and I want to grow here. I feel at ease in the Premier League.

“I’ve done my job and my duty. Next year we will play again in the Premier League and that’s all that matters. There’s no need to celebrate too much.”

The former Sampdoria man admits he is missing the home comforts of Italy, but is equally motivated to make his career at Saints a success.

“I like the passion you feel at the stadium with the fans behaving well and encouraging their team consistently. I miss the good food and the Italian weather, but I’m here to play football,” he said.

Gabbiadini has four years left to run on his contract at Saints and knows he must do well with the club to keep himself in the frame for a place in the Italy team under new manager Roberto Mancini, the former Manchester City boss who took the role earlier this month.

He said: “I am aware I need to deserve my place within the national football team and do well [with the Saints] to get it. That’s one of my goals.

“Mancini manager? I don’t know him and his CV talks for itself. It’s a great addition to the national team. It’s clear though that the results is what always matters.”