Daily Echo:

MAURICIO Pellegrino will for the first time be able to survey his full Saints attacking arsenal in this evening’s pre-season friendly against French outfit St Etienne.

With James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond both returning for this week’s training camp in France, Pellegrino has been able to really analyse his options going forward, and will now get to see that in a match situation.

The Argentine has already seen how effective Charlie Austin is, after he netted a brace against Brentford in pre-season, and will be eager to get a first-hand look at all his options as he works out how to construct his attacking line next term.

Ward-Prowse and Redmond, who both usually operate in the three behind the main striker, came back for this week’s trip away after a break following their involvement in the European Under-21 Championships with England.

Pellegrino will be experimenting again against St Etienne and has that pair as well as Austin, Manolo Gabbiadini, Dusan Tadic, Sam Gallagher, Shane Long and Sofiane Boufal to pick from.

Ryan Bertrand, meanwhile, could be set for his first appearance of pre-season, having been an unused substitute in last weekend’s draw at Brentford having previously sat out of the St Gallen 0-0 with a minor hamstring problem. Both Sam McQueen and Matt Targett have played at left-back so far in his absence.

The England international has been in full training in France and Pellegrino will be keen to start getting him game time ahead of the new Premier League season which kicks off a fortnight today.

As has been well reported, Virgil van Dijk did not travel to France and is back at Staplewood training alone.

He will therefore not be involved against St Etienne, who Saints play at a small ground near their training camp in Evian at the Stade Municipal de Chambery (5.30pm BST kick off).

Jeremy Pied is likely to get another run out at right-back with usual first choice Cedric Soares yet to return to the fold follow his participation at the Confederations Cup with Portugal.