MATTHEW Le Tissier is looking in good shape for the pursuit of the second half of his dream double.

Having scored the last ever league goal at The Dell, Le Tissier would dearly love to net the first at the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium.

First, though, he has to win back his place in the starting line-up - but he and the fans can take heart by his progress through pre-season.

Much of the last three years has been wrecked by a succession of niggling injuries but the crowd hero believes he is at last ready to regain his best form and fitness.

He reported back for pre-season training lighter than he was at the end of last season and in probably his best condition for five years.

He said: "It was only a short close season break so there was not time to put on too much weight!

"This is the best physical shape I have been in for a while. I have a good base of fitness after the last couple of weeks.

"We have had something like 27 training sessions in the last two weeks and it was hard work out in La Manga but I do feel good.

"I twisted my ankle slightly when we went running at 6.30 in the morning - there has to be a moral there! But I was able to train that evening.

"Touch wood, the injuries are all behind me now and I am just looking forward to getting some games under my belt.

"My long-term aim for the season is to play more matches than I have in the previous three years put together.

"In the short-term I would love to play in the first game at the new stadium. And it would be a dream if I could score the first goal there.

"It would be wonderful to be involved in that opening match, partly because it would mean I was back in the team and partly because it will be a great occasion.

"Having been at the club so long I know how much the new ground means to the fans and I share their excitement.

"They have been promised it for years and I am looking forward to playing there immensely. It has been a long time coming and there will be a huge sigh of relief once that first game is out of the way and everything is up and running."

Originally, Le Tissier had hoped to stage the first game there for his testimonial but the police did not want the first fixture at the new stadium to be a night game.

It now looks likely that his benefit game may now be put back to the end of the season.