Saints 'keeper Paul Jones has vowed to be fit for the start of next season - and is ready to prove his critics wrong.

The big Welsh stopper will miss the rest of this campaign after having a minor operation to clear out some floating bone in his right knee but can't wait for the action to start again come August.

Jones was absent from the Saints line-up at Aston Villa last week - the first time he has missed a minute of first team football this season.

But, despite his continued presence, Jones has come under fire from some sections of the fans after letting in a couple of soft goals recently.

He said: "People have short memories. I had a couple of bad games but so do all goalkeepers but, for 30-odd games, I have played really well and, if they want to pick on one or two things, then they can.

"At the end of the day, I know that I am good enough to play in the Premier League and that's what it's all about. Unless the gaffer says otherwise then I will keep on playing, doing my best and hopefully do well.

"I have been on form this season and I have been pretty consistent with the exception of one or two disappointing occasions when I could have done better - but I have played 36 games and I think I have played well, it's just a shame we have not really finished the way our performances deserved."

Jones's operation was a success and, at 35, the 'keeper, who is also set to miss his country's prestige international with Germany, is certain his best years are still ahead of him.

He said: "There is no point in rushing back to try and play the last game of the season because we are safe now but it would have been nice to have played and also for Wales against Germany.

"But, if I did rush back, then that is where you could cause yourself more serious problems.

Saints have confirmed they are taking a week long tour to Sweden in the build-up to next season.

They kick-off against Byske IF on July 24, go to Finland to face TP 47 on July 27 and are back in Sweden again to tackle Bodens BK on July 29.

Back home, they travel to Oxford on Friday, August 2 and Luton on Monday, August 5 before finishing preparations against an unnamed top European side at St Mary's on August 10 - a week before the start of the new Premier League season.