THERE'S no hiding place for wayward marksmen on the training fields of La Manga.

No player will be able to claim the ball bobbled just as he was about to hit it - for the pitches are perfect.

They are smooth as bowling greens with the grass tightly cropped to give a flawless surface.

They are well-watered - they have to be as the region enjoys the driest climate in Spain with between six and 12 inches of rain a year.

While the surrounding landscape is barren brown, the pitches here are lush with just enough give in them - and there are eight to choose from at the resort's centre for professional football.

No wonder England chose this as their warm-up base ahead of France 98, while a succession of top club and international sides have also booked in.

Tottenham were here last week, Derby arrive on Saturday. Norway, Denmark, Spain and Sweden are regular visitors along with the likes of Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid.

If it is good enough for them, it is good enough for Saints. And there is no doubting the quality of the facilities they find here.

Manager Stuart Gray said: "The pitches are absolutely perfect. No-one can get away with saying they got a bad bounce here!

"There is not a bump or a divot anywhere - that's why we are here and why the likes of Spurs and Derby come too.

"It is a beautiful setting and the hotel is superb. But the main thing is that we can concentrate on our pre-season build-up in a quality environment.

"We train early in the morning and then again in the evening to avoid the heat of the day, although it is still hot even when we finish at eight o'clock at night."

It is hardly surprising that the training pitches are so perfect when you look at the three 18-hole championship golf courses on the complex.

La Manga has made its reputation from these and the same care has been given to the training grounds which are as neat as any of the putting greens.

In addition, there are 22 multi-surface tennis courts as well as a fully equipped gym, health spa, swimming pools and squash courts.

New signing, Anders Svensson, said: "I have been here a few times with the Swedish national side and the facilities are absolutely superb.

"It is the ideal place to prepare. Being away like this is a good chance for me to get to know the rest of the lads."