Charlie Austin visits Hightown Primary School

But Charlie Austin appears to have inspired one young Southampton student with an appearance off the field.

The 28-year-old visited Hightown Primary School as part of the Saints Foundation’s Primary Stars programme.

And according to the striker, the scheme has already had an impact on one student, nine-year-old Kian Rumsey, who has shown a huge improvement in his behavioural skills.

Austin said: “He has benefited very well from it, which is a great example of the impact the work can have on young people.

“It was really interesting to learn more about him and pass on some advice to him that I learned when I was younger about working together as part of a team.

“Kian really does value Lee Nicholas our Foundation worker’s time and when Lee comes in it helps massively, not only with Kian but with the teachers as well.”

The Saints Foundation’s Primary Stars programme aims to increase young people’s enjoyment, participation and skills in local schools.

Delivered across 16 schools, the Saints Foundation’s Primary Stars programme engages with thousands of pupils from 16 core schools across the area.

Each of the core schools has a dedicated member of staff to run the programme.

Hightown Primary’s Primary Stars Coordinator, Lee Nicholas, has seen first-hand the impact the programme has had on pupils like Kian.

He said: “The impact we’ve been able to have on PE, and with children in the classroom, has been really great.

“At the beginning Kian was quite frustrated, but he’s a lot calmer now and he can see the bigger picture.

“It’s hugely rewarding to see and experience the impact our time and this programme can have on young people – that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

Austin’s visit was part of Saints Together week, which aims to document some of the inspirational stories from the programmes Saints Foundation run in the community.

Saints Together week will conclude on Saturday when Stoke City visit St Mary’s.