GEORGE Burley is confident Pele will be a better player for Saints in 2007/08 for his experiences last season.

The player is expected to be deployed at centre half for the first friendly at Eastleigh this weekend due to Claus Lundekvam's injury - providing Chris Baird completes his move to Sunderland.

Burley said: "The way strikers back into centre halves, Pele wasn't quite used to that type of player so I'm sure that was a learning experience.

"He's strong, quick, comfortable on the ball, has a smashing attitude and he'll get better.

"He's bedded down in his first season and he has the potential to improve."

Full story in today's Daily Echo