Saints have told a number of their fringe players that they can leave the club this summer.

The first-team squad returned to pre-season training this week, but some players were absent.

Outside of those granted extra rest due to international duty, the likes of Billy Sharp, Dean Hammond, Lee Barnard, Richard Chaplow, Steve De Ridder and Tadanari Lee were not thought to be present.

It is understood there are no plans for them to attend the pre-season tour, although they could report in for some training this month if they have not found a new club.

Pochettino confirmed the players do not form part of his plans.

“They are a group of players that, because of different reasons, we are not counting on in the future,” he said.

Sharp, who has a contract until 2015, spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and could end up back at the Championship club, although his departure does not appear imminent.

Hammond, whose deal has another year to run, was also farmed out for the duration of the previous campaign, spending it with Brighton.

His future remains unresolved, a situation that has not been helped by the managerial upheaval at the Amex Stadium this summer.

Chaplow had a spell on loan at Millwall last term, with Birmingham the latest club to be linked with a move for him.

Lee, De Ridder and Barnard were also all loaned out during 2012/13 and will be looking to seal permanent switches in the coming weeks.

The same is true for players such as Jonathan Forte and Aaron Martin.