MIDFIELDER Shea Charles admitted he is impressed by Will Still and his coaching staff after the first days of pre-season training.

Saints have kicked off their preparations for the upcoming Championship campaign with a training camp in sunny London.

Charles, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, believes pre-season has started well and is centred around how Still wants his side to play.

Asked for his first impression of working under Still, Charles said: "He's a great guy. A really sound guy, and good on the pitch as well.

"(The) coaching staff around him have been great. It's pre-season, so it's tough, but it's been good so far.

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"Everything he's doing seems centred around how he wants us to play, which is obviously good because it gets us into the mindset of how we want to play.

"(You get to) work off each other as well. There are some new faces, for me at least, it's been good.

"I've known Sam (Edozie) for ages, so it's easier to come back in and settle in. (I know) all the boys from when we got promoted last time. All the boys are sound, so it's been good."

Charles won plaudits during his loan spell with Wednesday in the Championship last season, earning the Owls' player of the year award.

He played every game after joining Danny Rohl's side, and feels he has returned to the south coast as a better player.

The Northern Ireland international added: "It feels good to be back. It was a bit of a long break with the Championship season finishing early.

Shea Charles won promotion in his first season at Saints.Shea Charles won promotion in his first season at Saints. (Image: Habibur Rahman) "I enjoyed the summer and had two international games, which went well. Going there (Wednesday) the plan was to play games at Champ level.

"They have a good coaching staff, a good manager, and good players around me with a lot of experience. It went better than I could even imagine.

"I played every game. The players around me helped me every game. I got better. I could feel it towards the game. 

"Every game became not easier, but I was getting into the games more, so it was a very good (season)."