FORMER Burnley defender Wayne Thomas has admitted a new challenge was key to his decision to make the switch from Turf Moor to Southampton.

And the 28-year-old believes the Saints are making great strides towards reclaiming the Premiership status they lost in 2005.

"I've left a lot of good people at Burnley but I felt the opportunity to come to a club like Southampton was too big an opportunity to turn down," he said.

"In the Championship everyone beats everyone but the history of Southampton Football Club, and the fact they've just recently come down from the Premiership, I think they'll be more consistently challenging to get back there.

"With the facilities and the fan base that they've got it's too good an opportunity to turn down.

"First and foremost I need to try and get myself into the team and then help the team get into the Premier League.

"Anywhere you go it's going to be a new challenge and I'm looking forward to it.

"Obviously there's going to be pressure but first and foremost I need to force my way into the squad and make sure I'm in the starting XI each week.

"That's never going to be a given no matter where you go but hopefully if I can do that I can bring a little bit extra to the defence and we can tighten things up a little bit.

"I've played in the Championship a while and come up against most teams and as most people are aware it seems to be getting harder every single year.

"Teams at the bottom can beat teams at the top and there's no given results.

"It's a very difficult league to get out of."

He added: "I feel that Southampton Football Club is really a Premiership club resting in the Championship for the time being and I'm sure all the supporters, the players and everybody connected with the club want Southampton back in the Premiership and that's got to be the aim."