DAVE JONES today hopes to bolster his midfield by completing the £300,000 signing of Trond Egil Soltvedt from Coventry.

Saints have agreed to pay the Sky Blues half the fee forked out to Rosenborg just over two years ago.

The 32-year-old had a medical late last night after watching Saints' dismal 3-0 home defeat by a powerful Leeds side and he was expected to finalise personal terms today.

If, as expected, the deal goes through then Soltvedt could come straight into the side for Sunday's televised clash at home to Newcastle with Chris Marsden now likely to be sidelined.

Marsden will today have an X-Ray on a suspected broken toe which forced him off at half-time.

Until then he had been one of the best performers in a midfield which was often over-run.

But Jones hopes the arrival of Soltvedt will provide extra power and said: "Hopefully we can wrap it up in time for the Newcastle game. It just hinges on the medical and personal terms.

"He is a strong runner from midfield and will get forward at every opportunity. He will give us a variation and increase our options and competition.

"We have got him for a good price but we are still looking round for one or two others as well."

One of those is Molde utility man Jo Tessem. The Norwegians need the cash but don't want to sell while they still have a chance of qualifying for the lucrative Champions League.

Last night they were held 0-0 by Real Mallorca and if they lose the return leg, they may do business.

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