SAINTS are very well represented in England’s latest squads, with seven St Mary’s stars selected for the Three Lions.
Ryan Bertrand and Fraser Forster have been selected for Gareth Southgate’s senior side who will face Scotland in a World Cup qualifier on June 10, followed by a friendly against France on June 13.
And in an initial England under-21 training squad for the European Championships in Poland next month, five Saints men were picked.
James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Jack Stephens, Matt Targett and Sam McQueen will all join up with Aidy Boothroyd’s side ahead of the tournament.
Ward-Prowse and Redmond both received England senior caps in March, coming on as substitutes in a friendly defeat to Germany.
At the time Southgate explained that they would return to the under-21s side to finish their Young Lions careers at the Championships, which England start on June 15 against Sweden.
James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond have returned to the England Under 21s for a training camp ahead of Euro 2017.
The Southampton pair earned their first senior caps against Germany in March and June’s tournament in Poland will be their last appearances for the Young Lions before they become too old.
Manchester City’s Patrick Roberts, who has spent this season on loan at Celtic, has been handed a first call-up while Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford is also in.
But Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been included in the senior squad and is now not expected to travel to Poland with the Young Lions.
‘We’re really looking forward to seeing everybody again and things will start to crank up a notch,’ boss Aidy Boothroyd told thefa.com.
'It’s good to get them all back in together, get re-focused and make sure we’re prepared properly for the Euros.
'We’ve got players at different stages, we have lads who have played 40-game seasons who will need a different sort of conditioning to the guys who have played nine or 10 games.
‘And we have players who have been coming off the bench and playing bit-parts for their teams and players who have played in different leagues as well, so we have a real mix in terms of fitness levels.’
The five-day meet next week will start the countdown for the tournament opener against Sweden on June 16 while England also face Poland and Slovakia in Group A.
UEFA’s deadline for countries to name their final 23-man squad is June 6.
Boothroyd added: 'We only have The Emirates FA Cup Final, the Championship Play-Off and the Scottish Cup Final to get through so fingers crossed we will get everybody unscathed and we can have a really good training camp.
'I’ll be looking for as much information as I can gather about where everybody’s at and then I’ll pick the squad.
‘But there’s a lot of good players here so it’s going to be very difficult to leave players out.’
Cuco Martina, Lloyd Isgrove and Harley Willard have all left the club, while Martín Cáceres also departs at the end of his short-term deal.
The club wishes to thank each player for their hard work and service during their time with Southampton, and we wish all of them the very best for the future.
FORMER Saints defender Garry Monk has resigned from his position as manager of Championship side Leeds United.
Monk, who played for Saints between 1998 and 2003, has left Elland Road after missing out on the play offs in the second tier.
His availability will undoubtedly turn the heads of a number of clubs in the market for a new manager.
After Sam Allardyce’s departure, Crystal Palace are aiming to bring a new man in, while Watford are also hunting for a replacement boss after sacking Marco Mazzarri.
Newly-relegated sides Sunderland and Middlesbrough are also looking to recruit a new chief.
A Leeds statement said: "[We] can confirm that we have received Garry Monk’s resignation from his role as first team manager.
"We are shocked and disappointed by Garry’s decision but his resignation has been reluctantly accepted by Chairman Andrea Radrizzani.
"Andrea made it clear to the media yesterday that his intention was to exercise the Club’s option to extended the manager’s contract for another 12 months and immediately begin negotiations for a longer term deal.
"Mr Radrizzani has met with Garry twice since taking over at Elland Road earlier this week and during the second meeting yesterday it became clear that Garry was considering life beyond Leeds United as at no time did Garry wish to discuss terms for a longer contract.
"Following that meeting yesterday Garry’s agent requested that the option was not exercised and his resignation was received this morning.
"Whilst we are deeply saddened by Garry’s decision, there is no individual bigger than our Club and we will now begin a process to identify and appoint a new Head Coach to take the club to the next level.
“We thank Garry for his contribution during his time at Leeds United, we are disappointed that would could not continue on this journey together.”
Students were welcomed to Staplewood Campus, where they enjoyed a mixture of theoretical and practical sessions put on by members of the club’s sports science department.
The day was designed not only to give them an insight into the work that goes on at Saints, but also to provide them with advice on how to break into what is an extremely competitive industry.
Alek Gross, Southampton’s Head of Sports Science, said: "It’s been something we’ve been talking about for quite a few years. It’s an opportunity for us to educate some of the people that one day might come and work for us, but also to allow us to show the skill-set that we have and the work that we do.
“I think it’s probably indicative of the people we have, that they want to share and they want to help other people, whether that’s players, coaches, or people who are attending conferences.”
Academy Data Scientist Jonathan Woodhouse added: "It’s been a great day. We try to give them a bit of a mix of our overall sports science department, ranging from monitoring to return to play, and the transition from when a young player comes in all the way through to when they get a professional contract. It just gives the guys a bit of an insight into the implementation of the daily practice of sports science.
“All the guys here within the sports science department have been through an internship early in our careers, so we know what these guys are looking for and to be able to help them progress in the future as sports scientists is great.”
Ellie Dolbear was one of the students attending, and she said: "It’s been a great opportunity to be able to come here and learn about what they do behind the scenes.
“It’s really nice to get an insight into all areas, right from the development of the young ones through to the first-team.”
Another of those attending, Fionn Sullivan, added: “Normally, you only really see the players when they’re on the pitch. You don’t really get the opportunity to see the work that goes on behind the scenes that these guys do, so it’s been really interesting and I’ve really enjoyed it. I feel privileged to have come in here.”
Watford will tell all suitors for Troy Deeney that they will have to pay £35million to get their man this summer.
The 28-year-old is a target for West Bromwich Albion while Leicester City and Everton have also discussed the Birmingham-born striker.
However, Sportsmail understands that Deeney has a clause in his contract that stipulates the club would allow him to leave but only once they receive a clear £25million, after sell-on percentages are taken into account.
Deeney’s former club Walsall are due a cut of any fee while the player is one year into a new five year contract.
Deeney is understood to be concerned at how his season finished under Walter Mazzarri and, though the Italian coach is being replaced, the Watford forward is ready to look at a fresh challenge should it arise.
Albion manager Tony Pulis has held talks with the club’s Chinese owners about improving their budget, including wages but the price on Deeney may still prove too high.
Pulis and his scouts have been looking for forwards and centre-backs plus another midfielder and left-back.
Jhon Cordoba at Mainz, Moses Simon at Gent and Steve Mounie at Montpellier are among those to have been watched though Pulis has always preferred to bring in tried and trusted Premier League players. Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez and Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson remain on his wishlist as does Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor.
Watford are determined to build again themselves after a poor finish to the season.
Ander Herrera will snub any interest from Barcelona this summer as he underlines his commitment to Manchester United.
The 27-year-old is considered an option for Barcelona as they look to appoint former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde who is a fan of the Spanish international midfielder.
Herrera played under Valverde for a season at Bilbao before his move to United in 2014. He endured a difficult time under Louis van Gaal but has flourished under Jose Mourinho and is thoroughly enjoying his time at Old Trafford culminating in Wednesday’s Europa League final win over Ajax.
United are planning to hold talks over a new contract for Herrera and he is keen to extend. He recognises the club will look to add more midfield players with Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko among those discussed but he accepts competition is part of being a United player.
Though obviously flattered by any Barcelona interest, he remains committed to helping United kick on and challenge for the title and Champions League next season.
Herrera welcomed the prospect of Antoine Griezmann joining United this summer when he spoke to Cadena Ser and said: ‘Griezmann is a brilliant player, a phenomenon. He is a star and all the teams in the world would want him. However, Griezmann is still an Atletico Madrid player and I respect Atletico and their fans.’
Manchester City are close to finalising a contract with defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
City turned down an offer from Everton for the 19-year-old earlier this year and the talented centre-back is expected to agree terms on a four year deal this week.
The 6ft 5ins England Under 21 international is highly-regarded by Pep Guardiola. City will add at least three new defenders this summer but could lose a few more.
Nicolas Otamendi has offers while Eliaquim Mangala will return from his loan at Valencia and has interest from Newcastle. He told L’Equipe: 'Today I’m on the market and there will be offers this summer. I was lucky to spend a month with Pep. I made more progress tactically in a month than in two previous years with City.
‘I tell you, my best years are before me. I’ve never felt so strong. But for now, I don’t know what my future will hold.’
Gael Clichy is talking to Paris St Germian and Premier league sides while Pablo Zabaleta is expected to be unveiled by West Ham over the next 48 hours after agreeing terms on a two year deal with the option of a third year.
Meanwhile, Hellas Verona are in talks with City about signing Bruno Zuculini, 24, on a permanent deal after his loan spell.
Celtic want to take Patrick Roberts on a permanent deal but he is likely to explore other options.
Newcastle United and Brighton remain at the forefront of the battle to take Tammy Abraham on loan from Chelsea.
Everton, Leicester City and Sunderland were among a raft of clubs to enquire in recent weeks with some looking to sign the England Under 21 international on a permanent deal. Sportsmail reported Brighton’s interest earlier this month and if they miss out on Abraham they may return to ask for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Chelsea do not wish to sell Abraham but would prefer him to develop on loan in the Premier League after his stand-out season at Bristol City.
Trabzonspor are in talks with Sunderland over a deal for Jeremain Lens.
The 29-year-old spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce and is happy to return to Turkey if the clubs can agree a fee.
Sunderland are ready to hand their new manager a limited budget but players sales will contribute to what funds are made available.
David Moyes had lined up a number of targets prior to leaving on Monday with Burnley’s Canadian international Scott Arfield and Chelsea midfielder Isaiah Brown among those discussed.
Owain Fon Williams is attracting interest from clubs north and south of the border despite the relegation of his club Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The 30-year-old Wales international goalkeeper has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on a free transfer following their drop into the Scottish Championship.
Williams, also an accomplished artist, has made over 300 first team appearances after spells at clubs such as Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers, Bury and Rochdale.
He was part of the Wales Euro 2016 squad.
Former Middlesbrough head of recruitment Victor Orta is expected to be appointed at Leeds United along with coach Aitor Karanka following Garry Monk’s resignation.
Orta and Karanka are well regarded by Leeds director Ivan Bravo who was formerly with Real Madrid.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alex Manninger will retire once his contract expires at the end of June.
The 39-year-old moved to Anfield at the start of the season as third-choice goalkeeper behind Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius, but did not make an appearance. ‘I thought about it a couple of months ago and I was keen to decide myself, not wait again for the summer and whether I receive a phone call or not,’ Manninger told the club’s official website.
'I tried to listen to myself, to my body, and then I said ‘no, that is enough’.
'I did not want to go too far and let my body decide, or the phone decide if it does not ring, so that is why I came to the decision of that being it for me.
‘I am quite looking forward to my time out of football. I will have a rest, but I was a professional joiner before I got into football so I might go back to my roots – construction work, property work, furnishing and so on.’
Liverpool are looking to recall Danny Ward from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town to increase competition. They have no interest in signing Iker Casillas from Porto
The Anfield club have rejected a request from Celtic to take winger Harry Wilson on loan.
Everton are expected to hold talks with Cuco Martina following his release from Southampton.
Manager Ronald Koeman wants cover with Seamus Coleman recovering from a broken leg. Mason Holgate can deputise ably but Martina, 27, will provide extra experience.
Lloyd Isgrove and Harley Willard have also left Southampton.
On behalf of Virgin Media, Saints Foundation is auctioning the shirts that were worn by the players during this month’s home Premier League game against Manchester United.
The shirts had the Scope logo on the front, after Virgin Media kindly donated their sponsorship to them for the night, meaning they really are a one-of-a-kind piece of Saints memorabilia.
What’s more, each of them has been signed by the player who wore the shirt.
There are 27 in total to bid for, with players not in the matchday squad also signing special match-issued shirts.
To bid on the items, please click here. The auction will run until Sunday 4th June.
Manchester United are planning on signing a central defender this summer and the three options they are pursuing are Michael Keane, Virgil van Dijk and Victor Lindelof, according to Sky sources.
Jose Mourinho said on Wednesday that he had given United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward a list of players he wanted to sign and we understand Keane, Van Dijk and Lindelof are the centre backs on the list.
United are expected to sign one of the defenders before next season starts in August.
They sold Keane to Burnley two-and-a-half years ago for £2m. Since then, he has made his full England debut - against Germany in March - and played 90 times for Burnley. He has one year left on his contract at Turf Moor.
Southampton’s Van Dijk is expected to be the most in-demand centre back in the summer window.
We understand Southampton would not let him leave for less than £50m and he is also a reported target for Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Lindelof is the other name on United’s centre back target list.
United came close to signing him from Benfica in January and the 22-year-old Swedish defender is valued at £40m.
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