THREE former Oxford United players, now plying their trade at Coca-Cola Championship outfit Southampton, returned to their roots yesterday.

Dexter Blackstock, Sean Rudd and Josh Mulvany each left the U's to head south and play for the Saints.

But the trio were all in Abingdon to drop in on the Southampton Development Centre, and congratulate Joshua Smile and Mason Curtis at successfully coming through trials to take up a place at Southampton's Under 9 Academy.

Blackstock broke into the Premiership last season, making ten appearances and scoring five league and cup goals, including a hat-trick in the Coca-Cola Cup win over Colchester.

He is scheduled to represent England Under 19s in the European Championships.

Rudd played for England Under 18s last week, while Mulvany has represented England Under 16s and is about to embark on his first season with the club after coming through their academy.

Smile and Curtis were spotted while attending a Premier Soccer Centre football course, run by Southampton, and recommend by former Oxford United player Mark Jones.

They took up a place at Southampton's Development Centre at Abingdon, where Jones is a coach, and will now get the chance to play against other academy sides, such as Chelsea and Arsenal.