Saints are getting in strong shape for the new season - and that shape is 4-4-2.

Both teams lined up in that traditional formation in their opening midweek friendlies and are unlikely to change.

Manager Stuart Gray confirmed that will be his preferred system although he will be quite prepared to switch during matches if required.

He said: "I am a flat back four man. I am not a big fan of using wing-backs but obviously if that is what is required then we will change, as we did at Villa last season.

"We have got the personnel to go 4-3-3 if need be but at the moment we are setting up in a 4-4-2 formation although it will not be rigid.

"There will be a lot combination play within that with good movement and rotation and pace down the flanks. We will have two up front but with one dropping off rather than square on each other."

Today Gray's men continue their pre-season preparations with two more games at Swindon and Worthing.

The boss confirmed he will send a slightly stronger squad with Paul Murray again looking to press his claims for a full-time contract after leaving QPR on a Bosman free.

Gray said: "He did very well at Aldershot for us and we have been impressed by what we have seen in training.

"He is here to get fit and we will probably sit down with him and make a decision around the middle of next week."

Mark Draper should be fit despite bruising a foot at Farnborough in midweek and Saints also hope to have Marian Pahars back following a slight knee injury.

Both were able to train yesterday but Wayne Bridge is unlikely to be risked while Jason Dodd, Dan Petrescu and Chris Marsden are all still missing.

Gray said: "The priority is still to get match sharpness and timing and to avoid injuries which is why Wayne probably won't play. There is no point taking a gamble at this stage of the build-up."

Admission is £14 for adults, £8 for students and oaps and £4 for children under 16. Saints will wear their new all-black away kit for the first time.

It is on sale only at the WestQuay shop and will be worn for just one season so that the club will have one new strip per year.

Retail development executive James McLaughlin explained: "Our market research showed fans wanted us to alternate. We had to break the cycle at some point."

It is not on sale at The Dell where the club shop is preparing to close. They are staging a massive clearance sale until August 4 and will be open on Sunday.

l Gray has denied rumours that he is lining up a bid to bring back Celtic's unsettled former Saints midfielder Eyal Berkovic.