George Burley has admitted he has "no problems" with David Prutton - and has challenged the midfield to get fit and back in his Championship plans.

Prutton, who was almost sold back in the summer, will tonight play his first game of the season in a specially arranged friendly against Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium (7.45pm).

The £2.5m midfielder, right, has not played a competitive match since April.

He has spent the first few months of this season on the sidelines after ankle surgery - the damage having been discovered after he failed a medical at Leeds as a proposed move collapsed back in August.

Burley remains open-minded about Prutton's future and says he can get back in his first team plans.

He said: "David will get a run-out tonight. It will be nice to see him in action and this game is a nice little starter for him.

"We arranged this game to get him playing so hopefully he'll come through.

"I'm always a manager with eyes open and everybody will have an opportunity. It's up to players.

"You've got to look at each situation and the door's open for everybody. That's the case with David.

"There is no doubt he's a very good player so we'll see how his fitness is."

There have been questions over Prutton's temperament in the past, most notably when he received a ten-game ban for pushing a linesman in a home game against Arsenal when Saints were fighting against relegation from the Premiership in February 2005.

Burley is keen on discipline from his players and Saints have one of the best disciplinary records around this season.

However, Burley says he has had no problem with Prutton's temperament since arriving at the club.

"He's very competitive, a 100 per center that never shirks a challenge, so there's always room for them in the team," he said.

"Discipline on the pitch is important - it's always been important for me.

"I've never had any problems with David since I came to the club so I don't see a problem with that."

There is expected to be plenty of familiar faces on show tonight (7.45) and there could be a good crowd with Eastleigh charging £5 for adults and letting children in for free.

The likes of Darren Powell, Mario Licka, Nathan Dyer, David McGoldrick and Leon Best are all pencilled in to start.

However, Inigo Idiakez and Kenwyne Jones will not be available as both continue to battle from injury.