SAINTS players went on their annual visit to Southampton General Hospital and Dusan Tadic admitted it gave the squad a sense of perspective as they battle against relegation in the Premier League.

The whole squad and manager Mark Hughes spent yesterday afternoon in wards at the General, handing out gifts to children and spending time talking with the sick youngsters.

Saints also went to elderly care wards, handing out signed photos, goody bags and posing for pictures.

“It’s very important because you see people who have different kind of problems,” Tadic said. “You realise that health is the most important thing in the world.

“They fight for their lives and we are also fighting for our lives to stay in the league,” he added. “It is nice to visit the hospital, we come every year and we always go home with lots of impressions.”

Striker Shane Long said: “Having kids myself, just seeing their faces light up, it’s a nice feeling to be able to do that.

“It’s nice to come here and mingle with people and hear their stories and put smiles on people’s faces.”

Claire Pickett, healthcare play specialist at Southampton General, told Saints’ website: “Some of the treatment is quite harsh here and they could be feeling really rotten.

“Some of the children haven’t got out of bed for weeks, but they know their favourite players are coming and they’ve got out of bed to see them.

“It will give them the memories for a long time after – they’ll be talking about this for the next few weeks.”