MATT OAKLEY was playing down the significance of flying home from the Saints tour yesterday.

Oakley lasted just four minutes of Saints' 8-0 win against Asebro on Saturday, when taken off as a precaution after feeling soreness in a tendon.

The influential midfielder had previously played 45 minutes this summer since missing most of last season following surgery on his knee.

Importantly, this is a new injury and not a recurrence of the cruciate problem.

"I'm fine and there is no problem. I just didn't want to risk it," he explained.

And the no-risk policy meant he also would not take part in full training, so the decision was taken for him to fly home.

Oakley's knee has been a little sore all week, but that was to be expected as he returned after nine months out.

Manager Paul Sturrock said Oakley was right to come straight off. "He has got this problem across the front of the knee and it's affecting him running.

"We don't know how long it will take to settle down, so I'd rather he rest now rather than see it flare up and see him out for longer. He did the right thing coming off."

There was better news for others returning from injury.

New signing Jelle Van Damme and Graeme Le Saux shared the duties at left-back after experiencing slight hip and knee problems respectively during the week.

Skipper Jason Dodd also looked fit and sharp as he played the full 90 minutes after only linking up with the squad in Sweden on Thursday following a back injury.