Saints will remain patient in their attempts to make changes to the squad heading into the final week of the January transfer window.

As is often the way when the hype dies down, it has been a quiet month in general so far across the Premier League.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted there is a tactical battle going on for many top flight clubs who do not wish to either pay the extortionate prices demanded to capture a player in the middle of the season or, alternatively, needlessly buy somebody out of favour elsewhere as a second prize.

The Daily Echo understands that Saints would still like to add one or two players to their squad before the window closes a week on Thursday but accept that may not be possible.

They remain likely to have to sell before they can buy and, therefore, are partially reliant on other clubs making moves.

Big names, and big earners, they would ideally shift include Fraser Forster and Wesley Hoedt, with Hasenhuttl having it made it clear that neither of them figures in his plans.

Saints are yet to receive any firm offers for Forster, but Hoedt could go move to Spanish side Celta Vigo, who currently also have Sofiane Boufal on loan from St Mary's.

However, the deal for Hoedt would also be a loan, which, though good news for Saints as they look for a cash sale in the future, would still not generate much in the way of funds to be reinvested in new signings this month.

One player who still has an uncertain future at the club but has a more lucrative potential market is Cedric Soares.

The Euro 2016 winner has got back in and around the first team set-up but remains a fringe figure.

His chances of getting more games on the left side are likely to evaporate once Ryan Bertrand is fully fit again, while Hasenhuttl is minded to stick with Yan Valery on the right in a bid to develop the 19-year-old over the remainder of the season.

If a strong offer were to come in for Cedric it is believed Saints would seriously consider it, as that could offer up the chance to then move for another player.

So far only Manolo Gabbiadini has departed for a fee, and even that a fairly modest £12m. Steven Davis has moved on to Rangers but only on a loan deal until his contract expires in the summer.

Saints’ improved form has decreased the pressure on them to have to pay well over the odds in this window.

With Hasenhuttl happy to work with younger players and confident of steering Saints to safety, it may be that if the club cannot shift surplus squad members this month they keep their power dry for the summer.

At that stage, and with prices for new signings far more realistic, they can have a major overhaul of the squad ready for pre-season ahead of Hasenhuttl’s first full campaign in charge.