It was back to work today for the Saints first team squad, with Head Coach Mark Wotte leading them through a double session…

With decisions over his own future role at the club still undecided, the Dutchman was prepared to put the needs of the team first as the preparations for the 2009/10 season finally got underway.

And it was a gentle start to proceedings, with a light football session in the morning and some gym work after lunch, as Saints begin their gradual seven week build up to the start of the League One season.

Wotte was without the assistance of fellow Dutch coach Dean Gorré, who is completing his UEFA Pro Licence in Ireland this week, but was joined by Kelvin Davis, Jason Euell and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

The goalkeeper and his two teammates are currently out of contract but are also waiting for takeover developments to determine their own situations at St. Mary's.

"It was a slightly unusual way to start pre-season," Wotte said, "because I don't know whether or not I will be in charge. We're still in the dark and it is the first time I have begun a pre-season like this in twenty years of coaching, but the mood amongst the players was positive.

"Normally, we can start with a clear picture, but the off-the-pitch problems still remain unresolved. Even so, there was a good spirit and the players all worked their socks off.

"Some of them are also waiting for decisions to be made, but everybody showed up, including the players who are out of contract, which is a good sign."

Having all been passed fit during last week's fitness tests, Saints eased back into things gently with sessions scheduled for both the morning and the afternoon. Six Academy players were also invited to train with the first team, a move which Wotte described as an encouraging sign for the future.

"It's important to avoid early injuries when players come back off a break," Wotte explained. "We have four or five weeks to prepare for the Ajax game and we will be stepping things up gradually throughout the pre-season programme.

"We didn't have any new faces at training today, but we invited Sam Argent, Callum McNish, Ben Reeves, Ryan Tafazolli, Tom Dunford and Ryan Doble along to training and they all made a good impression.

"It was a lively session. It was a good opportunity for us to see their ability and it will also help in these young players' development."

"We had a nice balance of youth and experience in the squad today and we all just hope that the decisions that need to be made can all be resolved soon."