Southampton right-back Jeremy Pied could be given first-team opportunities ahead of Cedric Soares in the coming weeks.

Pied, who signed from Nice on a free transfer last summer, spent most of the last season out with a knee injury and could manage only four league appearances.

However, the French defender has appeared for the Saints in friendlies against St Gallen and Brentford in pre-season. The 28-year-old is expected to keep his place in Mauricio Pellegrino's side during the early days of the season as first-choice right-back Soares is yet to return from his extended break.

Soares is enjoying an extended break as he was a part of the Portugal national team which claimed third-spot in the Confederations Cup this summer.