SAINTS have brought experienced academy graduate Olly Lancashire back into the B team set-up to offer support and guidance, and enhance development of the youngsters in the programme.

The 32-year-old centre-back, who has made more than 300 senior appearances in his career, returns to the club where he made his breakthrough to work with the youngsters in the professional development phase.

Lancashire will train with the side, who suffered relegation from Premier League 2 Division One last season, on a daily basis while acting as a mentor during their own first steps in the professional game.

Lancashire came through the youth ranks at Saints, making his debut in the 2008/09 season and playing 17 times for the first-team, before enjoying spells with Grimsby, Walsall, Aldershot, Rochdale, Shrewsbury, Swindon and Crewe, meaning he brings with him a wealth of experience in the Football League as well as knowledge of the club.

Speaking to the club, Lancashire said: “I’m delighted to be back. I’ll be here to train with the B team lads, to try and guide them, mentor them and prepare them for what is a very tough industry.

“Ultimately, we want as many of the players here to play for the first-team. Hopefully I can use my experience from playing professional football for 15 years.

“If I can teach them the character traits and the behaviours I was fortunate enough to learn here then it will stand them in good stead.”

Saints are not the only side to hop onto this growing trend, with Manchester United recently acquiring 35-year-old Paul McShane to join their under-23s in the same capacity.

Brighton signed Andrew Crofts as an over-age under-23 player back in July 2019, with the view of him mentoring the younger lads - a move that has been described as innovative.

Academy Director Matt Hale explained the thinking behind bringing Lancashire back, in order to be integrated into the B Team set-up.

He also told the club: “It’s something that myself and Matt Crocker have had a good discussion about over the summer.

"Olly is someone Matt knew from his time here before and, when it comes to the idea behind this, Olly ticks all of those boxes that we were after.

“He has a vast amount of experience playing league football, and that professionalism and characteristic that he’s got will be massive in terms of getting that across to our players.

“Olly will be a strong leader to take this group onto the next level and make sure we’re operating in the right way. He’s got a key role to play in that.”