Saints News & Rumour Mill

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Sunderland have strike a £6M deal for Kenwyne Jones.Stern John goes the opposite way as a part of the deal.

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SAINTS SUFFER SKACEL SETBACK

Southampton have been dealt an injury blow with the news that forward Rudi Skacel is facing a spell on the sidelines.

The Czech playmaker, who has been filling the void left by Gareth Bale at left-back over the first few games of the season, suffered a knee-ligament injury during Saturday's win over Stoke at St Mary's.

Saints are still assessing the damage, but manager George Burley said: "He opened it out a bit and it could be a few weeks.

"It would be a blow because he has been doing well for us."

Source: Sporting Life

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Kewyne Jones' former Caribbean club stand to benefit from a substantial sign-on clause inserted in the contract when Saints signed him in the summer of 2004.

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Stern John has set his sights on reaching the Premier League with Southampton. The striker recently moved to St Mary's from Sunderland where he had sampled promotion success last season. John, who fired four goals in 10 appearances towards the end of the campaign to help guide the Black Cats to the top of the Championship, is now keen for a repeat performance with Southampton.

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Jason Euell from Middlesbrough has today signed a two-year deal with Saints. Southgate freed up room in his squad to sign Shawky by allowing Jason Euell to leave on a free transfer.

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Port Vale have beaten off a host of League One sides to the loan signing of Southampton's David McGoldrick. The young striker, who two seasons ago scored 44 goals at reserve and under-18 level, has penned a deal that will keep him at Vale Park until January.

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Claus concern for Saints

Southampton fear Claus Lundekvam could be out for a further three months with an ankle injury.

Lundekvam has not played since picking up the problem in the final game of last season against Southend United.

Saints hoped the veteran centre-half would be fit to return in time for the start of the new Championship campaign.

But he is due to undergo another operation on Wednesday, with manager George Burley concerned the Norwegian will miss another three months.

Skysports

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Burley: We could have hit 10

Southampton manager George Burley felt his side could have hit 'double figures' against Queens Park Rangers.

The Saints cruised to a 3-0 win at Loftus Road with Grzegorz Rasiak scoring twice and Bradley Wright-Phillips on the score-sheet.

"Without Lee Camp [QPR goalkeeper], and if we hadn't missed so many chances, it could have been double figures," insisted Burley.

"I haven't seen one of my teams create so many clear-cut chances in a very long time. It is amazing how many we had.

"My job is to entertain the public, and we did that. The neutral spectator would have enjoyed how we played."

QPR boss John Gregory refused to speak to the media after the defeat.

Skysports

I think that says more about QPR than Saints...

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George Burley is still looking to add to his re-built Southampton squad despite adding several names over the summer. The Southampton manager is keen on bringing in another defender as cover, but is otherwise satisfied with his squad. Although the transfer window is now closed, Championship clubs are still able to bring in loan signings and, with Darren Powell and Claus Lundekvam set to miss games through injury, Burley will be looking out for cover.

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Southampton boss George Burley has rejected reports that he is set to quit the club. Reports on Friday suggested Burley was ready to leave St Mary's after growing frustrated with internal politics at the club. However, Burley has moved to deny the rumours and insists he is happy at Southampton.

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Claus down but not out

Claus Lundekvam has revealed he is depressed by the news of his long injury lay-off but is determined to bounce back.

The Southampton defender recently discovered he will be out for six months following surgery to reconstruct his ankle tendon.

At 34 years of age, a six-month spell on the sidelines could be enough to end his career, but Lundekvam is eager to make a full recovery.

"I am positive I can make it back and play again," he told Southampton's official website. "But it will mean a long time out of action.

"It would be great to get back just in time to lift the Championship trophy and claim all the credit.

"But that is a long way off and right now I am very depressed. It is a big personal blow for me. I have been very unlucky with injuries in the past year."

Skysports

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Andrew Surman has dismissed reports linking him with a move to rivals Portsmouth.

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Watford v Southampton preview

Mart Poom is doubtful with a back injury for Watford, so Richard Lee has been placed on standby to come in between the posts.

Nathan Ellington is available to make his full debut but Adrian Boothroyd may opt to stick with strike pairing Marlon King and Darius Henderson.

Darren Powell (ankle) and Rudolf Skacel (knee) are set to miss out again for

Saints, while captain Claus Lundekvam is a long-term casualty following ankle surgery.

Spanish midfielder Inigo Idiakez could be included for the first time this season after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Skysports

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Watford - Southampton 3-2

1-0 42 min. Shittu
1-1 45 min. Rasiak
1-2 70 min. Dyer
2-2 81 min. Henderson
3-2 90 min. Henderson

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Southampton manager George Burley has confirmed the club's interest in Cameroon defender Lucien Mettomo. The 30-year-old stopper has been training with the Saints over the past week after being released by Swiss side Lucerne. And Burley appears keen to bring in the former Manchester City man as cover for the injured Claus Lundekvam and Darren Powell.