The academy prospects who could join Southampton for pre-season games

They will likely head on a small tour in mid-July with further fixtures played in England ahead of the season-opener at the end of the first week in August.

The manager, expected to be Swansea City’s Russell Martin, already has a large squad but there is likely going to be significant player turnover when the transfer window opens this month.

Club chairman Henrik Kraft told the Daily Echo that the club’s DNA should be around giving people a chance and that will extend to young players this summer.

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Some will be looking to stake their claim as a first-team squad member while others will gain valuable experience before heading out on loan again.

Here are the academy’s top prospects we think could be with the senior group…

Ollie Wright

Goalkeeper Ollie Wright spent most of the second half of last season with the first team on matchdays as well as playing week-in week-out for the title-winning B team.

He is yet to make the first team squad but is well-integrated with Gavin Bazunu and Willy Caballero and could be called upon again to assist them on the job.

Lewis Payne

Payne, a back-to-back league winner with the under-18s and B team, was really impressive on his Saints debut and is the only academy player to start last season. 

However, he faces stern competition in his position with Tino Livramento and James Bree ahead of him. He could seek another loan early on in the window. 

Dynel Simeu

Centre-back Dynel Simeu, now 21 years old, travelled to Austria for last season’s summer camp under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The former Chelsea man has been on three loans with the second half of last season in League One and could push to be involved again this summer.

Nico Lawrence

Fellow centre-back Lawrence is a little earlier in his development but, after joining from non-league Glebe FC at the start of 2022, impressed on loan in the National League.

He was voted Torquay’s young player of the season despite only joining in January and is a strong, composed defender who likes to play with the ball.

Jayden Meghoma

Meghoma has been away with England under-17s for their European Championship over the last month and Ruben Selles hinted he would have been with the first team if he was available.

The former Tottenham Hotspur academy left back is still an under-18 eligible player next season but could be a part of the senior group, especially as the full-back pool is shallow.

Thierry Small

Small, 18, also travelled with the group to Austria last summer but has not had the most successful time on loan with Port Vale and St Mirren this season.

Physically he is ready but his technical and mental attributes need work, particularly if he is to be a left-back long term, but he should still be with the squad this summer.

Kegs Chauke

Central midfielder Chauke has been experiencing his first senior football since joining Saints academy in secondary school, with League One Exeter City.

South African youth international Chauke has already made his Saints debut in the FA Cup and is an option for the new manager this summer – particularly if midfield ranks are light.

Ryan Finnigan

Another central midfielder who was close to the first team this season is Finnigan, who also made his Saints debut in the FA Cup when he was just 17 years old.

Nathan Jones was a big fan of B team star Finnigan and sent him on loan to League Two Crewe Alexandra for League Two experience – Finnigan will hope a new boss shares the same opinion.

Kami Doyle

Doyle, who will turn 18 years old this summer, made his Premier League debut as a substitute in the defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last month.

The midfield wizard, who is also a set-piece specialist, wants to be in the senior squad for the Championship campaign and he will use this summer as a chance to stake that claim.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw

Amo-Ameyaw became the club’s youngest-ever Premier League debutant when he featured on the final day 4-4 draw with Liverpool and was really impressive.

The England youth international is still only 16 and will likely lead the line for the B team next campaign but he will surely spend the summer learning from the seniors.

Dom Ballard

Another who is aiming for a permanent senior berth from now on is 18 year old Ballard, after the striker was nominated for Premier League 2 player of the season last month.

The youngster scored 24 goals in all competitions last season including one on his Saints debut away at League One Cambridge United back in August.