SAINTS manager Russell Martin looked to ease concerns over Ross Stewart and Armel Bella-Kotchap despite the pair not travelling to Spain.

Bella-Kotchap, 22, and Stewart, 28, are both back at Staplewood working on individual programmes with the rest of Saints in Girona.

The likes of Juan Larios, 20, and Adam Lallana, 36, have travelled despite long-term and minor injuries respectively - as well as unwanted Paul Onuachu, 30.

Martin insists the pair have been left back at base to work with the better rehabilitation facilities available but concerns persist due to their injury records. 

Speaking to the Daily Echo at the club's training camp, Martin explained: "Armel picked up a little something last week in training.

Ross Stewart has battled injury problems for almost two yearsRoss Stewart has battled injury problems for almost two years (Image: Habibur Rahman)

"We have amazing rehab facilities at Staplewood and it's not quite the same out here, so like an anti-gravity running machine, the indoor pool you can run in. 

"It's a decision we've made, Armel will probably have to miss four or five days of training, he'll be back to training by Thursday but we have a game on Wednesday.

"Thursday is a recovery day and then we play on Saturday which he isn't quite ready for so for him to be out here for one day of training would have been pointless.

"When we go back, he'll be ready, he'll be involved to train, and the same with Ross, so I said to him we need to manage his minutes, we need to manage his load."

Martin continued: "He's had two really good weeks but felt leggy, felt really tired, then we have to travel, be out here on a different pitch, in a different environment.

"Maybe it sounds a bit precious and we're going overboard but we have to care for him. For us long term, we need to really look after him.

"Ross wanted to be here but then he understands the reason, so he's back there, he's doing a lot of work with the guys to continue to stay fit and be ready.

"When we get back, hopefully after another week or two of training, he'll be ready to play some minutes in the games and we build him up from there."

Martin had previously indicated his desire to see Stewart endure four weeks of consecutive training before playing any friendly matches.

Saints are now into their third week of pre-season so Stewart could feature in the friendlies versus Lazio and Getafe - according to the manager's timescale.

German international Bella-Kotchap faces an uncertain future after spending last season on loan at PSV, with no desire to play in the Championship.