SAINTS have played down transfer speculation linking them with a bid for German striker Oliver Bierhoff and West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas.

Bierhoff, as mentioned in Monday's Daily Echo, announced his retirement from football after scoring a hat-trick in his last game of the Serie A season against Juventus.

Saints attempted to sign the forward two years ago but were scared of by Bierhoff's wage demands.

There have also been reports that Saints have attempted to make a year-long loan-move for AC Milan's former Newcastle striker Jon-Dahl Tomasson - but the club have not commented on that piece of speculation.

Saints have been given an allocation of 1,434 tickets for the pre-season friendly at Reading on Friday August 1.

Saints play three warm-up games in Sweden before this fixture, which is the first domestic match in the build-up to the new campaign.

Supporters booking in advance will get a discount on tickets which go on sale at St Mary's to season ticket holders on Monday, July 7.

Tickets for the Reading match will be available to members from July 14 and on general sale from July 21.