Cedric Soares hopes to play against Augsburg as Mauricio Pellegrino takes charge of Southampton at St Mary's for the first time

Cedric Soares is hoping to be handed his first game time of this pre-season tonight as Mauricio Pellegrino makes his St Mary’s bow.

The Portuguese defender was given an extended break after playing for his country in the Confederations Cup, but returned to St Mary’s in good shape at the start of the week.

Pellegrino is now likely to ease him back into action as Saints host German Bundesliga side Augsburg this evening.

Jeremy Pied has got the run on Cedric having figured heavily in pre-season so far, with the Frenchman having also impressed at right back.

Cedric will, therefore, be keen to hit the ground running in a season which could see him having to fight for his place after enjoying free reign in the last campaign for which Pied was mainly sidelined through injury.

Tonight’s match is the first of a home double header, with Saints hosting Sevilla on Saturday.

The two games represent the final chance for Pellegrino to get his side ready for the new Premier League season which starts a week on Saturday.

It is also a chance for Pellegrino to get a warm welcome from the Saints faithful and a first taste of life in the dugout at St Mary’s.

Pellegrino could opt to mix and match his team a little this evening.

He fielded what was probably the strongest side available to him in the victory over St Etienne last time out, which rounded off the club’s trip to France.

He will surely want to play the team he will be considering for the season opener against Swansea in the Sevilla game.

Therefore, he could opt to give starts, and extended playing time, to those who are slightly more on the fringes.

It could mean chances for the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and summer signing Jan Bednarek, while James Ward-Prowse will continue to be pushed towards match fitness after playing his first minutes of pre-season in France.

Nathan Redmond was unavailable for the St Etienne game but could come back into contention for either tonight’s game or the Sevilla fixture, while Sam Gallagher and Shane Long will also be hoping for chances to impress.