WILL Smallbone shared that he has "loved" Saints' spell in Austria, with the club returning from their training camp in Velden am Wörthersee tomorrow.

Saints were held 0-0 by local Austrian top-flight outfit SK Klagenfurt in their second and final friendly in the country on Monday evening, following a 3-1 defeat to German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on Saturday.

For Smallbone, pre-season feels like an extension of his international duties with Ireland's under-21s over the summer, with the 22-year-old raring to go.

In an interview with Saints' website, Basingstoke-born Smallbone shared: “I’ve loved it, pre-season gives everyone a chance to get minutes and I think I’m inheriting that very well.

"I think I had a good summer with Ireland and I’ve tried to carry that into this pre-season, and so far I think I have.

“It’s been really good, the training has been fantastic and two good tests that we’ve had."

Smallbone also believes the trip away from Staplewood has helped Saints' five summer signings to embed themselves at their new club.

He continued: "It’s good for the new lads to get in and around the squad in a close environment where you can only be with each other, it’s been good for them to learn new things.”

“The tour gives a good chance for everyone to get to know each other, on and off the pitch.

"It’s just as important you get to know people off the pitch as well as on it so you can build that chemistry as a squad that will only help you going into the season.”

After their stint in Austria, Saints face numerous sides in European competition, including Champions League Monaco and Conference League Villarreal.

“I’m really looking forward to it," mentioned Smallbone.

"We’ve got three more great tests for us before the season starts and it’ll be great for us to get back out in front of the fans at St Mary’s and hopefully put on a good show for them.”

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