Paul Wotton revealed he was happy to see Saints land an opening day fixture against his former side at St. Mary's.

The 32 year-old spent over ten years at Home Park, and the match against his only previous club, is one which the former Plymouth captain believes will be the perfect way to kick off Saints' 125th year in style.

"It's an attractive fixture," he acknowledged. "There'll be expectations on Saints this year and Plymouth have just come down from the Championship, so it's very much an attractive opening day game. For me, the phone calls for tickets have started already, so it should be a good day.

"There's no easing into the season, it's a tough first game and then it's followed up with a local derby against Bournemouth who I'm sure will be up for it as we will. So it's all systems go, and that's the best way to start the season. You don't want to ease into it, you've got to be ready to start on the front foot and we will be doing just that."

The return date at his former stomping ground takes place towards the other end of the campaign, and whilst Wotton will be looking forward to that occasion, it's the furthest thing on his mind at the moment.

"The return is in March which is a long way off, but football is a strange old game sometimes a week seems like a long time let alone until March so we'll cross that one when we come to it.

"It was the fixture I looked for which is understandable, however, I'll be concentrating on nothing else but three points for Saints in both games we play them in that's for sure."