Dean Wilkins took the first training session this morning as it was business as usual in the Saints camp ahead of Tuesday night's game.

Wilkins has taken on the role as first team manager on a caretaker basis following the departure of Alan Pardew, and he feels that once the initial reaction has filtered through, the team will be all set to defend the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the first round match against Swindon tomorrow evening.

"The training was good, it was short and it was sharp, so overall the session was very good. I think in any situation like this, there's the initial jaw drop and then it's get back to work and I think that's the case today," he said.

"I think a large majority of the players in the changing room have seen situations like this before, so I think that as soon as we get in tomorrow morning we'll do our preparation right and as soon as we wake up it will be case of being back to business.

"It's nothing unusual in football and I think it's a situation that everyone gets used to, you do just get used to just switching on and getting back about your job. I've seen both sides of it, I've been a coach and asked to take over from Mark McGhee, and I've been a manager where I've been dismissed and my previous assistant has taken over from me.

"Unfortunately it's life, and life goes on, and the football club will go on. The team will respond, and I'm sure they'll do that in the right way.

"I've been asked to take control today, and I don't know how long that's going to last, but for all the time that I'm asked to be in control of it, I will do my upmost to try and win every game that we have.

Dean addresses the squad this morning

"Regardless of what the supporters are going to be thinking whilst they're watching the game, I can only assure you that the players are going to be fully focussed on retaining the trophy, which is a magnificent competition to win for clubs at our level.

"Our staff and players had a fantastic day out last year and I know that the city had a wonderful time during that period, so we'll be trying to replicate that again."

Reproducing that feelgood factor from last season's win at Wembley is firmly on the agenda, but as Danny Wilson's side proved last season they are unlikely to make it easy for the hosts on Tuesday.

"I'm expecting exactly the same from Swindon again this season and I think different to last year teams will come to our place with that in mind, so it's up to us to try and find the solution to breaking that down.

"I would hope that the supporters will do what they have done over the years, and support the football club. I'm sure that if they do that and the players respond to what we're going to ask them to do then we'll have an enjoyable night tomorrow night and then we'll crack on to get the promotion that we want this season."