Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone is targeting a return to the first team next season.

The 23-year-old has been with Stoke City in the Championship this season.

He has played 42 league games this term, a year after suffering a serious ACL injury and a calf injury.

“I feel more than ready," Smallbone said, in a new interview with The Athletic.

“Hopefully, they don't go down but if the worst did happen, me and Nathan (Tella) having good, different, Championship experiences could potentially be a big help.

“I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted to go back to Southampton. It's been my dream ever since the age of eight.

“When I joined, to come through the academy and play for the first team. I achieved that, but not to the extent of what I wanted.

“This year has been a reset and helped me to find myself as a player and give myself the best opportunity going back to Southampton, whoever or whatever is there. But we'll see in pre-season what the story is."