SAINTS are set to face the B team in another behind-closed-doors friendly today to step up their preparations for Leeds United.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side welcome the Yorkshire outfit to St Mary’s on Saturday, August 13, in matchday two of the new Premier League campaign.

The Austrian boss has a bloated squad with three weeks of the transfer window still to go and, despite five pre-season friendly matches, still needs to dish out minutes to some players.

That is where Dave Horseman’s under-21 group step in, fresh out of a Premier League 2 opening night 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Monday evening.

“We’ve got a brilliant week, challenging week, we’re playing the first-team Wednesday to help them prepare for Leeds United and that’s another big shift,” Horseman revealed in a club interview.

“Then we’ve got Thursday to recover and prepare and then we’ve got another 90 minutes on Friday. Challenging but that’s what it’s like to be a footballer and that’s what these boys want.

“It will be tough but I have no doubt they’ll step up to the challenge,” the head coach added, ahead of his side facing West Brom at Snows Stadium on Friday.

“West Brom are physical and will be well organised, the have an excellent coach, but if we do what we do I don’t think there’ll be too many problems – we’ll get a positive performance out of the group.

“The boys love it and they really appreciate it, and we as staff really appreciate it because it adds. The B team should be the next level from 18s where they play in lovely training grounds but it’s almost silent.

“The fans turn up at Snows Stadium really well, the pitch is lovely at the moment and hopefully you can see some really good young players. It’s exciting for both players and fans and that is what we’re trying to give back this year.”

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