Nigel Pearson wants to make the most of Southampton's narrow escape by mounting a push for a return to the Premier League next season.Saints kicked off on the final day in the drop zone and were still staring at League One until Stern John's late winner against Sheffield United sent Leicester down instead.

But Pearson is already planning for next term and feels the south-coast club should be battling at the right end of the Championship table.

"It's important to move forward now because ultimately this club needs to be back in the big time," said Pearson. "Sunday's result should be perceived as a turning point for getting back there. That is the reality.

"It was a tough day and we can smile about it now but it could have been so different. Now we have to start afresh and make sure we give ourselves a much better chance of finishing higher."

More Football News from TEAMtalk