Saints News & Rumour Mill

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Southampton - Colchester 1-1

1-0 52 min. Wright-Philips
1-1 58 min. Skacel [og]

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George Burley has eased Southampton's defensive difficulties by signing Christian Dailly on a month's loan. Dailly arrives at St Mary's having failed to feature in the West Ham United first team so far this season.

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Southampton v Barnsley preview

Inigo Idiakez and Mario Licka are both back in contention for Southampton as they look to return to winning ways following the 1-1 draw with Colchester.

Mark Hammill could also start after recovering from a knee problem and making a late substitute appearance against Colchester.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce has been passed fit to play for Barnsley despite limping off in the latter stages of the goalless draw with Stoke.

Rob Kozluk is out after aggravating a groin injury, with on-loan Derby defender Lewin Nyatanga expected to come into the starting line-up.

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Southampton - Barnsley 2-3

0-1 27 min. McCann
0-2 40 min. McCann
1-2 45 min. Saganowski
2-2 90 min. Idiakez
2-3 90 min. Devaney

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Southampton have announced the signing of Cameroon defender Lucien Mettomo on a short-term contract. Saints boss George Burley made the decision to secure the central defender's services after he impressed while on trial. The 30-year-old, who had a spell with Manchester City in 2001, was a free agent having been released by Swiss side Lucerne.

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Southampton have used the emergency loan window to sign Tottenham youngster Phil Ifil on a three-month deal. The defender will join up with George Burley's squad for the game at Sheffield United on Saturday and is set to stay with the Saints until the end of the calendar year.

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Southampton v West Bromwich match preview

Saints manager George Burley has striker worries ahead of visit of the high-flying Baggies.

With Grzegorz Rasiak is doubtful and Bradley Wright-Phillips injured, meaning Marek Saganowski could well partner Stern John up front.

Kevin Phillips' on-going ankle injury is set to rule him out of featuring at St Mary's.

Zoltan Gera is pushing for a start, although Neil Clement (knee) and Bostjan Cesar (back) are out.

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Southampton 3-2 West Bromwich

Stern John's first two goals for Southampton helped them to a 3-2 win over third placed West Brom. John turned and fired home on 17 minutes to put the Saints ahead and they doubled their advantage six minutes later through Rudi Skacel. Robert Koren pulled one back on 32 minutes before he popped up to level the match just after the hour. The Baggies were on terms, though, for just a matter of minutes as John claimed his second to give the home side all three points.

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Southampton have completed the signing of Andrew Davies from Middlesbrough. The Saints have sealed the capture of Davies on a three-month loan with a view to a permanent deal, after they beat a host of Championship rivals to his signature.

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Davies happy at St Mary's

Andrew Davies says he wants to clinch a permanent move to Southampton.

The 22-year-old defender signed a three-month loan deal from Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

And less than 24 hours after completing the switch Davies confirmed he hopes to make the move to St Mary's permanent when the transfer window opens in January.

Much longer

"It's just a loan deal at the moment but I hope to be here much longer. I want to stay and help take Southampton back to the Premiership," Davies said.

"The second I knew Saints were interested this was the only place I wanted to go. There were a few clubs in for me but this was the move which appealed most.

"I want to be in the Premiership and I really feel we can achieve that. I would love to be here to take Southampton up and to play regularly with them in the top flight."

Skysports

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Southampton v Cardiff match preview

Andrew Davies is set to be handed his Southampton debut following his loan switch from Middlesbrough. The big stopper will be joined in defence by Darren Powell after his return from injury.

George Burley will also be able to call upon strike duo Grzegorz Rasiak and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Trevor Sinclair is all set to return for Cardiff having missed their last game as a result of minor surgery.

Steve McLean and Jason Byrne are also back to provide Dave Jones with a further fitness tonic.

Source: Skysports

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John secures win for Saints

Stern John's first-half volley helped Southampton snatch all three points against Cardiff, moving them into the top half of the table.

A high-tempo first half at St Mary's saw former Birmingham and Sunderland forward John fire his side into the lead against the run of play.

Cardiff were the first to break forward and Robbie Fowler had a penalty appeal denied after just 45 seconds when he appeared to have been pulled back by Alexander Ostlund.

Ostlund's game ended shortly afterwards when he limped off with a hamstring injury.

George Burley's side opened the scoring despite being on the back foot after Inigo Idiakez's cross found John who netted with a well-taken volley from 18 yards.

Cardiff's best chance fell to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink shortly before half time after a back-heel from Fowler landed at the Dutchman's feet, but he fired wide.

The Bluebirds continued to hunt for an equaliser with Peter Whittingham putting his attempt wide and Fowler's powerful shot blocked just before the final whistle.

Source: Skysports

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Saints in takeover talks

Southampton have confirmed they have entered into negotiations with "a major UK-based investment company" to become the "majority shareholder" of the club.

The news follows reports businessman Ray Ranson is lining up a takeover bid for the club.

Former Manchester City defender Ranson is keen to take over a football club and has already failed with attempts to buy former side City and Aston Villa.

A Southampton statement to the Stock Exchange read: "The board is delighted to announce that it has agreed in principle to proceed with indicative proposals from a major UK-based investment company (the 'investor') under which, subject to shareholder approval, the investor will become the majority shareholder in Southampton Leisure Holdings Plc (the 'company') with a total shareholding of not less than 55 per cent of the company.

"The investor proposes to become the majority shareholder by injecting a substantial sum directly into the company by means of a placing of new shares and to commit additional funds in order to acquire a tranche of pre-existing equity from current shareholders by means of a partial tender offer.

"The proposed placing of new shares would be at a discount to the current share price and conditional on the grant of a Rule 9 waiver by the Takeover Panel and approval of that waiver by independent shareholders, which would otherwise require the investor to make a takeover offer for the company's existing share capital.

Long-term commitment

"The investor has stated that the above proposals represent the beginning of a proposed long-term commitment on its part as a strong and supportive shareholder whose interests would be closely aligned with those of current shareholders and supporters of Southampton Football Club (the 'club') and other stakeholders in the company.

"In particular, the investor has indicated it will undertake a review of the club's financial structure. In addition to the significant equity investment proposed, the investor has confirmed that it has the financial capacity and intention to support the ongoing development of the club and its youth academy and to strengthen its first team squad and prospects of promotion into the Barclays Premier League.

"The proposed investment is subject to, inter alia, financial and other due diligence and there is therefore no certainty that it will proceed in the above or indeed any other form.

"Further announcements will be made as necessary."

Source: Skysports

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Saints march at Burnley

Burnley's unbeaten home record in the Championship is no more after Southampton came away from Turf Moor with a 3-2 win.

An entertaining game saw Burnley go two down within 14 minutes before staging a rousing comeback that ultimately ended in disappointment.

Southampton took an eighth minute lead through the lively Bradley Wright-Phillips, who finished with aplomb past Burnley goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

Stern John thought he scored moments later with a 25-yard drive that struck the bar, before Wright-Phillips' pace took him away but Burnley were rescued again by the woodwork.

Their luck could not last and the visitors duly doubled their advantage when Nathan Dyer's cross was headed in by Jason Euell.

Burnley's response was spirited and they got themselves back into the contest thanks to Chris McCann, who beat Kelvin Davis with a sweet strike.

After the break Southampton reaffirmed their control as Phil Ifil's back post cross found an unmarked John and he did the rest.

Burnley's Alan Mahon found another sub in Ade Akinbiyi who drilled the ball past Davis towards the end but it was Southampton that held on for the points.

Source: Skysports

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Southampton v Wolves match preview

Jason Euell (calf) will face a late fitness test for Southampton, while midfielder Youssef Safri is serving his suspension.

On-loan defender Andrew Davies may get his first start though, as they look to bounce back from defeat at home to Charlton.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is without Gary Breen (knee), Stephen Elliott (hamstring) and Darron Gibson (groin).

The visitors took a point from their trip to Bristol City at the weekend, but will be wary a backlash from George Burley's team.