STEVE WIGLEY is shutting out the furore over his coaching qualifications to focus on his team.

It emerged this week that the new head coach does not hold the UEFA pro-licence required to manage a Premier League side and, as such, is technically ineligible to be the man picking the side.

Wigley, pictured right, does hold a UEFA A badge which is good enough to manage teams at any level below the Premiership but has been unable to do the advanced course due to being tied up with commitments at Saints or England under-21s when the residential segment has taken place in June for the past couple of years.

However, although Saints are confident their appeal to get Wigley special dispensation will be a success, the Premier League maintain they have given Saints three months to sort out the problem or Wigley will become ineligible to manage the club. The course he needs to complete takes 12 months.

Wigley said: "It's reared its head this week in one of the papers that I haven't got the licence. I've got all the relevant coaching qualifications to coach, it's a management thing.

"It's for the powers that be to sort out and I've no interest in the politics of that. All my concentration is on the football team.

"I've realised that distractions could come from everywhere and anywhere and you can't second guess them. I'm just getting on with producing a football side and I'll just let the politics go on.

"I'm not really worried, I just want to get on with the football. I accept there will be diversions - it goes with the job and I just take them in my stride."

He added: "It was always something I was going to do. We'd be in consultation with the FA about joining the course. It's just a fact that 12 months ago I wasn't planning on being a Premier League manager.

"The only reason I hadn't taken it was because over the past two or three years I'd taken time off from the football club because I was allowed to combine it with coaching the England under-21s and was away for long periods.

"We actually are a club that trains through the summer as well so it's just one of those things.

"There have been dispensations for people in the past. There have been allowances made and we'll just work towards that really."

Back on the pitch, Wigley is preparing his squad for tomorrow's visit of Newcastle and new boss Graeme Souness.

Aside from long-term absentees, Wigley has a full squad to pick from and is also hopeful Matt Oakley will return to training next week.

Speaking of Newcastle he added: "They're a very good side. If you look where they've finished in the league over the last few years that is a testament to that.

"I don't read anything into what's gone on in the previous week or the previous month. You look at the teamsheet when it comes in and you know it will contain good players.

"When you play well and you work hard, confidence comes from that and the sooner we can get a win the sooner everybody will feel much better in themselves."