Ronald Koeman took charge of his first match as Saints boss, as the club kicked off their pre-season schedule with a comfortable 4-0 win against Dutch amateurs EHC Hoensbroek.

Koeman used 22 players in the game, at the Sportpark de Dem stadium, handing a first appearance to £11m signing Dusan Tadic.

The Serbian playmaker, who joined from FC Twente this month, was one of 11 half-time changes made by Saints, with Jose Fonte and Steven Davis taking the captain’s armband either side of the interval.

Those two now appear to be the leading contenders to take over the skipper’s role from Adam Lallana.

Saints’ goals came from Sam McQueen and Calum Chambers in the first half, with efforts after the break arriving from Billy Sharp (penalty) and Steven Davis.

Dejan Lovren, Maya Yoshida and Artur Boruc did not feature, having begun their pre-seasons later than the rest of the squad, meaning they were not yet ready for a match.

New signing Graziano Pelle was also in the stands watching, having only linked up with the team less than 24 hours before kick-off, following his transfer from Feyenoord.

All could feature when Saints finish their short pre-season tour with a fixture against Belgian third division side Sporting Hasselt on Thursday.

The team will then return home for away games against Swindon, Bournemouth and Brighton, and a home fixture against Bayer Leverkusen.

Saints first half: K Davis, Chambers, Fonte, Turnbull, Clyne, Cork, Reed, Ward-Prowse, Sinclair, McQueen, Mayuka.

Saints second half: Gazzaniga, McCarthy, Stephens, Hooiveld, Targett, Flannigan, S Davis, Tadic, Isgrove, Sharp, Gallagher.

Goals: McQueen 12, Chambers 44, Sharp 62 (pen), S Davis 64.