WITH less than 12 months left on his current Saints contract, Che Adams steered clear of giving a committal answer on his future.

The Scotland international striker was the subject of transfer interest from Premier League clubs AFC Bournemouth, Everton and Wolves throughout the summer window.

Adams, 27, scored in all three of the first three Championship fixtures as Saints made a fast start to their new division following relegation from the Premier League.

Despite interest from Wolves continuing to deadline day, Saints kept hold of their lead forward and added with the signing of Sunderland’s Ross Stewart.

Saints also offered Adams a new three-year contract, as reported by the Daily Echo, but the former Birmingham City man insists he is putting football first for the time being.

Asked if he will sign the contract while acknowledging it is a sensitive personal dilemma, Adams told the Daily Echo: “It’s difficult to say.

“We have just come from a busy summer, jam-packed with everything everywhere and it’s about getting my head down and scoring goals. I’ve come off that for the last few weeks.

“My football has to be the most important thing, with games coming thick and fast in the Championship it’s hard to sit down and actually reflect on what’s going on or think about the future.

“It’s about living now and taking each game as it comes. I’m enjoying my football again and it’s just about scoring goals, getting your name out there and most importantly winning games.”

It was the second consecutive summer where Adams, who is a friendly and attentive person and became a father for the first time 10 months ago, has been the subject of speculation.

Everton reportedly wanted to sign him last August before former CEO Martin Semmens and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl publicly quashed any suggestion of an exit.

Adams went on to score only five Premier League goals in 28 appearances as big misses blighted his chance to record an improved goalscoring record.

Reflecting on the past summer, Adams admitted: “It’s part and parcel of football and it is nice to have your name out there but it also can be tricky to navigate through that.

Daily Echo: Che Adams celebrates his winner at Plymouth ArgyleChe Adams celebrates his winner at Plymouth Argyle (Image: PA)

“You just have to get your head down and work hard. Goals help that. To score and assist makes everything much better, and I’m enjoying my football again.”

The speculation was most intense when manager Russell Martin said, ahead of August 26’s match versus QPR, that Adams would not be involved if “something had changed”.

Sure enough, Adams was not included in the 2-1 win, along with winger Nathan Tella, who went on to seal a permanent transfer to Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen.

Martin then revealed he actually made the decision to leave Adams out due to the noise surrounding him, and it was a choice Adams now thinks was correct.

“I think it was probably the right decision to put Arma (Adam Armstrong) in there and he scored as well so that made that even better,” he said.

“It comes down to managing the players and it shows how much care the gaffer takes in everyone, to look out for them and put the best people on the pitch.

“The gaffer has said that it is down to us now to get the club back to where it was, to make it a good environment to work in.

“I think he is doing that but it is hard to say that given the past few results. Everyone day to day is enjoying themselves and that’s important.”

Since the transfer window shut, Saints have lost all four of their Championship fixtures – including being beaten at bottom Middlesbrough despite scoring the opener.

Martin, while taking responsibility for certain decisions he has made, has put much of the plight down to “scar tissue” and a wounded mentality.

Will Smallbone, speaking to the Daily Echo at Riverside Stadium, admitted he could not explain why the players subconsciously sat off after taking the lead.

Adams shares some of the same thoughts, adding: “It’s been difficult as players, suffering big defeats. We have spoken in the dressing room a few times and we’re just not sure what it is.

“It could be teething problems or not gelling together on the pitch, but it’s a long season and we’ve got 38 games left.

“It’s no time to panic and I think the gaffer is the right person to make us play better and be brave on the ball, and to make us better people.”

Daily Echo: Che Adams has publicly backed manager Russell MartinChe Adams has publicly backed manager Russell Martin (Image: Stuart Martin)

Albeit setting up Armstrong on the weekend, Adams is still searching for his first goal since coming back into the team following a public transfer saga.

The Leicester-born forward has seen one-on-one chances against both Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough hit the keeper and go wide of the post respectively.

He insists he knew it would not be an easy ride in the Championship, despite previous success in the 2018-19 division and his three in three to begin.

“It’s a long season and you’re going to score some and you’re going to miss some. That’s just part and parcel of football and being a striker,” Adams said.

“It’s about enjoying the times when you do hit the net but not getting too down when you don’t, we need to keep at it and keep positive.

“As a striker, you are judged on goals and the two chances I got, I should score. But I try not to think about that because you never know when a chance will come back again.

“It’s about being ready for the next one. The previous goals that I scored were with my first shots and it’s crazy, I think if those (missed) went in it would be different.”