Lallana pictured among first arrivals as Saints return to Staplewood

SAINTS signing Adam Lallana was pictured among the first arrivals as the players returned to Staplewood for pre-season.

The squad were greeted by an in-house produced Premier League graphic on the TV screens in the Markus Liebherr Pavillion.

Saints will compete in the top flight again after winning 1-0 against Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Boss Russell Martin has already spent plenty of time at the training ground this summer, signing a new three-year contract and laying down plans.

The players have now joined him with just over two weeks until their first friendly pre-season match at Eastleigh on Friday, July 19.

Top scorer Adam Armstrong was the first player shown in the club's social media video on Wednesday morning.

He was without best pals Che Adams and Ryan Fraser - with the two Scots out-of-contract and still awaiting a permanent move respectively.

No update has been issued on the future of Adams, 27, who could yet re-sign or depart after a disappointing outing in EURO 2024.

Captain Jack Stephens was the second player the club's media team greeted before Alex McCarthy strolled up fresh off a new two-year deal.

"Back again," said the 34 year old shot-stopper, who kept two clean sheets in three play-off matches last campaign.

Former Burnley teammates Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Charlie Taylor - both new signings - arrived together for Taylor's first day at the club.

Finally, Kyle Walker-Peters - whose future is uncertain with 12 months left on his contract - was filmed warmly greeting staff on his arrival.

The club then shared pictures of Lallana, 36, and Gavin Bazunu, 22, although the Irishman will be undergoing a personal rehabilitation programme.

Manager Martin has promised hard work for the players ahead of their pre-season training camp in Spain on Sunday, July 21.

Saints will spend a week on the continent with behind-closed-doors fixtures against Montpellier and Bordeaux already scheduled.

They are expected to confirm details of UK-based fixtures both home and away before their Premier League season starts on Saturday, August 17.

Their first match takes them to Newcastle United before they welcome Nottingham Forest to St Mary's on Saturday, August 24.