SAINTS' players have returned to the club to get their pre-season underway.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was there to welcome his playing staff back to Staplewood to get their preparations for the new campaign underway.

Before he sent them away in May, the Austrian handed out individual fitness plans for each member of his side to make sure they maintained their levels over the six-week break.

And it was straight back to work for the Saints squad as they were put through a number of intense fitness tests to see if they had been folloPastewing their training plans.

The players were joined by new addition Che Adams after he completed his £15m move to the south coast on Monday.

There was also a noticeable absentee at Staplewood, as local lad Matt Targett left the club to sign for Premier League new boys Aston Villa having spent 15 years on the south coast.

Saints’ squad will remain at their training ground to be put through their paces before jetting off to Austria for a week-long training camp which culminates in a match against SCR Altach on Sunday, 14 July.

Following that, they will return to the south coast to continue their preparations for the new campaign which gets underway on 10 August.

But before the Premier League season starts with a trip to Burnley, they’ll play Preston North End, Chinese side Guangzhou R & F, Feyenoord and then FC Koln at St Mary's.