MANAGER Russell Martin believes Andrew Surman will be a brilliant addition to Southampton's academy coaching staff.

The academy graduate returned to Saints earlier this month, linking up with the under-18s as assistant coach to Calum McFarlane.

The retired midfielder has rejoined Saints from AFC Bournemouth, where he also worked as their under-18s assistant coach, having been impressed by the project at Staplewood.

Surman was involved on Tuesday evening as Southampton's academy progressed to the semi-final of the Hampshire FA's Servio Men's Senior Cup.

The 37 year old previously played alongside Martin at Norwich City before playing under him at MK Dons.

The Saints boss put Surman forward for the role after a conversation with academy director Andy Goldie.

Asked by the Daily Echo what Surman can add to Southampton's youth set-up, Martin said: "He is a brilliant guy.

"He will add experience and knowledge having been here. He grew up here and went on to have an incredible career.

"He has played in the way we play so he has felt it. When I signed him at MK Dons the chairman said 'You're just signing all your friends' because we also signed Cameron Jerome and Richard Keogh.

"By the end, Surs was his favourite player and he was begging me to convince him to stay because he understood the role he played and how much better he made the young guys look.

"I loved him as a teammate, as did Gilly. To have that understanding with the young players is so important because he has been in their shoes, he has been on the journey they are on now.

"He is working with a really talented coach in Calum McFarlane - I've enjoyed watching some of the stuff they have put together this season.

"To have Surman's expertise and knowledge from his time as a player will help Calum as well. It will give him someone to bounce ideas off. 

"It's nice to have him around. He has always got brilliant energy, he is always smiling. We like him as a person."

Martin continued: "When the job came up, I spoke to him immediately and Andy asked me if I had anyone in mind that I thought would be good for this role.

"Thankfully he came through the interview process really well. It wasn't a case of just giving a job to someone. He did a good job during his time down at Bournemouth, in a very similar role.

"I'm delighted for us as a club that he decided to take the role and I'm delighted for him as a person as well. He is going to be a really important addition to the academy.”