MANAGER Russell Martin challenged the trio of new signings to "force their way" into what he describes as a settled Saints team.

The St Mary's side confirmed the arrivals of striker Cameron Archer, and midfielders Lesley Ugochukwu and Mateus Fernandes in the last week.

Archer made his Saints debut as a substitute wearing 19 in the 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United in Southampton's Premier League opener.

Chelsea loanee Ugochukwu, who will wear number 26, and former Sporting starlet Fernandes, given number 18, could be involved on Saturday.

Saints host Nottingham Forest in the first home match of the season but Martin hinted that his starting team will not be easy to break into.

He said: " They have only had a few training sessions but I like them as people. We watched a lot of both of them and we're excited to work with them.

Cameron Archer made his Saints debut after just one training sessionCameron Archer made his Saints debut after just one training session (Image: Southampton FC)

"I think the club, the ownership group and ourselves, everyone's aligned. We want players who are hungry to be here and be part of the style that we play.

"This is their opportunity, it's not a step to something else. They want to be here with us in the Premier League," the boss insisted. 

"They now need to get themselves into the team. That's the biggest challenge because we have a fairly settled team that have played a lot of games together."

On the trio, Martin added: "I would say the number six position is where Lesley will ultimately compete with Flynn and sometimes play alongside Flynn.

"The game has to go through you so that's not an easy position to learn very quickly but he's already been hit with a lot of information and he's adapting.

"Mateus is just a really talented footballer and can be quite flexible in terms of position and is used to playing in a similar role where he was last year on loan.

"We'll see how long it takes him to adapt. It's very different for everyone, but I've got no doubt they both will.

"Cameron gives us flexibility. He's a proper goalscorer, quick and intelligent with his movement. I think it's just about adapting to us and what we really want.

"He was so impressive for Middlesbrough a couple of seasons ago. I played against him when we were at Swansea and he was outstanding.

"He's desperate to prove to people he is a Premier League player and can do it. He wanted to be here and he's really hungry to be here. 

"I spoke to a couple of guys at Villa. They had nothing but good things to say about him. He's scored a lot of goals in training this week and he looks sharp." 

Martin views next Wednesday's Carabao Cup match at Cardiff City as a perfect chance to blood the new talent and could mean first starts for the trio.