With the dust having settled on promotion to the Premier League, thoughts are already turning to what Saints can expect in the top flight next season.

At the forefront of fans’ minds, as well as manager Nigel Adkins, will be what needs to happen to his squad to compete with the best teams in the country.

The Saints boss has already said the squad will evolve, and there will be signings.

But what of the players that remain?

Only a handful are nailed on to be ready for the Premier League – Kelvin Davis, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert – but many have earned a chance to prove themselves Some will remain as squad members while there are quite a few – about a third of the players, in fact – that face a real battle to stay in the mix.

Here, the Daily Echo takes a look at them all and assesses their chances.

Kelvin Davis

Has been remarkably consistent for Saints down the years and is still in his prime as a keeper so certainly ready for another shot at the Premier League as one of the few players in the squad to have experienced that level.

Verdict: Nailed on for the Premier League.

Bartosz Bialkowski

Though Saints will surely continue with Davis as their number one, they will have an eye on ensuring a replacement for him in a couple of years time.

Bialkowski is struggling to remain as that man, and is out of contract this summer.

He didn’t help himself in 2011/12, committing a big gaffe on his only league appearance against Blackpool.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Frazer Richardson

Has been a real star in Saints’ promotion to the Premier League and deserves a chance next season to prove whether he is good enough to make the step up.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Danny Butterfield

A real Mr Reliable for Saints.

Despite having not played for much of the season, he came in at the end and performed really well. He will no doubt get some loyalty in return for the fact he will never let you down.

Verdict: Squad member.

Dan Harding

Has had to play second fiddle to Danny Fox and that will probably continue next season.

Hard to see Saints signing another left back, so will be an important back-up.

Verdict: Squad member.

Danny Fox

Last summer’s £1.8m signing has been a key man for Saints and will surely be again in the top flight.

In a league where goals will be much harder to come by, his set-piece delivery could also be vitally important.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Jose Fonte

The Championship was a bit up and down for the Portuguese defender, but he was nonetheless a virtual ever present and will be at the forefront of Nigel Adkins’ thoughts.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Jos Hooiveld

Key signing whose power in the air and ability to provide a good foil for Jose Fonte proved important in Saints’ promotion – not to mention his goals from set-pieces.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Aaron Martin

A bit part player. Though he is still young, he probably needs to start to get more games. A willing understudy, but this is another big step up.

Verdict: Squad member.

Radhi Jaidi

Injury sidelined him for the entire campaign. Has the kind of top flight experience Saints need but at 36 and out of contract this summer a year out means it will be tough for him to make it back.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Dan Seaborne

It is a real unknown after so long out.

Very hard to make a firm judgment as he hasn’t played for a long time.

Hopefully he will come back better than ever, but it will be tough for him.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Ryan Dickson

Having not played at all for the first team during the last season, and slipping behind both Danny Fox and Dan Harding in the left back pecking order, it’s hard to make a case for him suddenly finding favour in the top flight.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Morgan Schneiderlin

For many years he has looked to have all the raw attributes required to play in the Premier League and he finally gets a chance to pit his wits at that level.

Helpfully for him, he gets there with plenty of experience under his belt.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Jack Cork

Made a major contribution to Saints’ promotion as the only player to feature in every game.

Will no doubt be an important player next season too.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Dean Hammond

Been with Saints since the start of this remarkable journey, making the step up from League One to the Championship and now the Premier League.

Whole hearted character, has improved immeasurably and hopefully he will make the grade.

But Saints may well recruit further in the heart of midfield.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Richard Chaplow

Adds an extra dimension to the Saints play, but the question will be whether he competes for a central midfield berth or is considered in a wide midfield role in a division where pace is often king in those areas.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Adam Lallana

Another outstanding season and finally a real chance to get a crack at the top flight.

Will be interesting to see what position he is playing come the second half of the campaign.

Plenty of discussion over that, no doubt.

Verdict: Nailed on for the Premier League.

Jason Puncheon

Who knows? Has a little Premier League experience and a player in a position where Saints are short, but his own position at the club seems so often to change.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Steve De Ridder

Has the kind of pace out wide that most teams consider vital in the Premier League, but has only really made an impact from the bench rather than as a starter in the Championship.

Verdict: Squad member.

Lee Holmes

Looks almost certain to depart the club with his contract expiring this summer.

Hard to see him being retained and breaking through next season when he hasn’t been fancied so far.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Ben Reeves

Promising young player who Nigel Adkins does rate.

However, making the step up to now become a first team regular in the Premier League is a really tough ask.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Guly do Prado

There is a not unreasonable thought that his qualities will actually be better suited to the Premier League than they were to the Championship.

The big question will be where he plays as it’s hard to see him thriving wide midfield in the Premier League.

But then he has to dislodge the other strikers to get in the starting XI.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Rickie Lambert

The fairytale continues as Lambert reaches the top flight.

Surely goals won’t be quite so easy to come by, but it’s hard to see anything other than him continuing to lead the line for Saints next season.

Verdict: Nailed on for the Premier League.

Lee Barnard

Has slipped down the pecking order and faces a massive challenge to get back ahead of other strikers and then prove himself in the top flight.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Billy Sharp

If he was signed to ensure promotion, then it was job done.

However, his ambitions will not end there and time will tell whether he can make the grade, having never previously played in the top flight.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

Tadanari Lee

Has only played a few games due to injury. But having been brought in, and with massive commercial appeal in the top flight, it’s hard to see him being denied the opportunity to prove himself as he and the other strikers battle to start alongside Lambert in attack.

Verdict: Should get a decent first team chance.

David Connolly

The biggest indication will be whether his contract is renewed.

Little doubt he has the quality but, whether due to injury or being out of favour, he isn’t being picked that often then it is considerably tougher.

Verdict: Facing a battle.

Jonathan Forte

Has the pace the Premier League requires but, having barely featured for the club in League One or the Championship, he will need a real breakthrough moment.

Verdict: Facing a battle.