Chris Baird is still unsure where he will start the season as he remains in limbo over his dream move to the Premiership.

Baird, last season's Saints player of the year, handed in a transfer request last month after Fulham expressed their interest in taking the defender to Craven Cottage.

But the West London club, who are now managed by Baird's former Northern Ireland international manager Lawrie Sanchez, have yet to up their initial £1m offer for the 25-year-old, which was labelled "derisory" by St Mary's chief George Burley.

In fact, Sanchez has since moved to shore up his defensive ranks by signing Baird's versatile international colleague Aaron Hughes from Aston Villa.

With Burley this week maintaining his defiant stance that Baird, who has two years left on his current contract, won't leave St Mary's unless the club receive a "suitable offer," it is not inconceivable Baird could still start the season at St Mary's.

And that's a scenario the defender has considered him-self.

Speaking publicly for the first time since handing in his transfer request Baird, said yesterday: "Every player wants to play in the Premiership.

"I am 25 and I don't think I'll get a better chance.

"I can understand Saints' position and what the fans are saying but I have to do what is best for me.

"You can't put a deadline on things like this. It's a waiting game. I've waited all summer, because it started towards the end of last season.

"The move could happen today, tomorrow, next week - or it might not happen at all and I could stay here."

"If things don't materialise, I am happy here and I will always give 100 per cent."

Baird made just seven top-flight appearances in Saints' Premiership years since his debut in 2002.

He spent most of the 2003/04 season out on loan at then Championship clubs Walsall and Watford and added: "I never really had the chance to play in the Premiership with Saints, so if things go right, moving would be my big chance.

"At the moment, I don't know much or what will happen - I'm waiting on a few phone calls."

Meanwhile Burley said: "Chris Baird has asked for a transfer, we've had a bid for him and that's been rejected, so there's nothing happening as far as that is concerned.

"I think with any player who asks for a transfer you have got to respect his views but it's got to be right for the club and that's where we are coming from.

"I think the world of the boy, so I was disappointed when he handed in a transfer request but, sometimes when you hear from other Premiership clubs that they want to take you, it turns your head a little bit.

"We have got to listen to offers for an unsettled player, but we will only accept it if we feel it's right."