John back to earn new contract

Stern John has returned to St. Mary’s in a bid to earn a contract which sees him stay with Southampton.

The 32-year-old spent most of last season on loan to Bristol City, but returned to Hampshire for pre-season training and a bid to get a contract from the south coast club.

The Trinidad and Tobago international was a huge part of Southampton’s survival in the 2007-08 campaign, and his two goals on the last day kept the Saints up when they played Sheffield United at St. Mary’s.

Mark Wotte realises that a player of John’s calibre would do damage in League One, but the Dutchman has warned the ex-Sunderland striker that his wages would be cut.

‘Stern is back with us and we have given him the opportunity to train with the first team,’ Wotte told Sky Sports.

‘We have spoken about his future and he has said he is enjoying being back on the training ground.

‘He needs to work on his fitness and knows he would have to settle for a lot less if we were in a position to offer him any sort of contract in League One.’