STADIUM staff have been cleared to return to St Mary's for work following its closure as of Friday morning.

Workers were informed the stadium would be reopening for the first time since a blaze nearby on Wednesday afternoon. 

Staff were evacuated as an industrial unit adjacent to the Chapel stand burned and the building remained shut on Thursday.

Health and safety checks were carried out as significant amounts of potentially harmful smoke billowed into and over the stadium.

Following those checks, staff received an email detailing the stadium's reopening at around 8pm on Thursday evening. 

However, they were also informed that some areas of the stadium remain restricted as further checks are carried out. 

It is a positive step ahead of Saints hosting Sunderland on Saturday, March 9 (3pm), in a crucial Championship clash. 

There is growing confidence within the club that the game will go ahead but no decision has been made.

Health and safety officials postponed Southampton's match with Preston North End on Wednesday with the fire still blazing. 

Saints have confirmed there has been no fire damage to the stadium itself but gave no definitive response on the fan zone next to the fire.