PAUL STURROCK is planning to include new signing Mikael Nilsson as soon as possible in pre-season preparations, despite the Swede's participation in Euro 2004.

The Saints boss has been able to give Anders Svensson and Marian Pahars extra time to recover from their exploits with Sweden and Latvia this summer, but knows it will be more difficult for Nilsson.

"We've got Mikael Nilsson to give us shape on the right," he said.

"The worrying aspect for him is that he has gone straight back in after the European Championships, but I think we are going to have to go with this one.

"He's come in late on and we will take our chances with him and maybe rest him as the season unfolds.

"I think we have got to take our opportunity to get him while he is at his peak."

Primarily a right-sided midfielder, Nilsson will provide extra competition for Fabrice Fernandes, who has impressed Sturrock in recent weeks.

"Fab has played very well and brought a good shape to the team," said the Saints boss.

"Fab has worked very hard in training, I've been very impressed with his attitude. "Last season there were bits of pieces of his game we wanted to work on and he has definitely come to the show on that."