IF you took an evening walk through the Saints training camp hotel in Andalucia, you would see your fair share of stars sprawled out in recovery across the spa.

Nathan Jones is serious about conditioning and commitment from his own time as a player, and it is probably fortunate it is not much of a warm-weather camp so far.

Although it is still about 10 degrees hotter than here in Southampton, the Spanish south coast even saw torrential rain the night the Saints squad arrived.

The players were put through two full sessions on Tuesday and they preceded another Wednesday morning, with a further gym session in the evening. Thursday will be quieter.

Read more: Spacey-Cale to miss final two matches of calendar year as coaches step up

A 3-5-2 shape has been one focus in positional play, with the likes of youngster Nico Lawrence said to be impressing alongside Duje Caleta-Car and Lyanco in the three.

Romain Perraud, who missed the trip to Austria this summer as he stayed behind in rehabilitation over a fracture injury, is relishing the week.

“Yesterday we had a little bit of sun in the morning so it was very good to have my breakfast in the sun,” he told the Daily Echo. “It is definitely not warm though!

“Especially with a new gaffer it is important to be here fit and ready with the team. I was a little bit disappointed to miss pre-season so now I’m here I feel good.

“At the moment, it’s very intense,” he added. “The gaffer has tried to stamp his identity and it is important for us to be together for one week and try to understand everything.

“We are ready to compete and ready to fight, so now we just have to follow the instructions of the gaffer.”

Perraud emerged as one of this side’s most important attacking conduits in the final three to six months of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s tenure.

Daily Echo: Southampton's Romain Perraud scores Saints goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham at St Mary's Stadium. Photo by Stuart Martin..

With the wing-backs often the most advanced players in the team – which had defensive flaws – Perraud’s left foot was increasingly integral.

The 25-year-old Frenchman has netted twice in the Premier League, versus West Ham United and Newcastle United, and his delivery was headed in by Che Adams for the club’s only win since August, at AFC Bournemouth.

Although it had varied up to a point, in the final year of Jones’s successful spell at Luton Town he employed a shape with wing-backs. Perraud has now been told he will have very few restrictions.

Although he will soon face competition from the returning Kyle Walker-Peters and Tino Livramento, he reveals clear conversations with Jones about what will be expected of him.

“I spoke with him and we had good communication together, very precise. He will try to play offensive football with a lot of intensity, so I will try to help the team as I can,” Perraud says.

Daily Echo: Nathan Jones

“At the moment we are 19th on the table, so firstly I have to help the team defensively but if I can help my teammates with some assists and goals I will. With the gaffer, he hasn’t come with restrictions with me so I will be a little bit free.”

He added: “I think he tried to tell us to trust in the structures, the way to play and the way to press. We work a lot about this on the pitch, the tactical roles. He tries to play with different shapes so it is exciting, and we are just beginning the process.

“In my opinion, everybody has to think about how we can stay in the Premier League and save the club. I don’t care about my situation - if I’m playing or not.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.