Mauricio Pochettino has refused to rule out using Rickie Lambert and Dani Osvaldo as a strike duo in upcoming games for Saints.

Lambert told the Daily Echo this week that he and Osvaldo could make a strong pairing for Saints, rather than being rotated.

Pochettino has already fielded them together a couple of times this season, but the general recent trend is for one or the other to lead the line.

However, the Saints boss is ruling nothing out.

He said: “We will make decisions depending on the games that are up ahead.

“In the past already you have seen that we have played with just Rickie up front, then also with Osvaldo up front, also with the two of them up front.

“In future as the games come we will analyse what decisions we make.”

When asked whether they could be a lethal combination together he admitted: “They could be.

“The more important thing is they represent an alternative to how we play.

“The even more important thing is the structure of how we play and that they fit in well with how we play.”

With January looming large on the horizon, speculation is already starting to build with regards to whether anybody could come or go from St Mary’s.

Pochettino is very relaxed about it and denied reports from the last week that has seen the club linked with Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli, Werder Bremen midfielder Aaron Hunt and Atletico Madrid star Diego.

“No, not right now,” Pochettino said when asked about transfer targets. “So far we haven’t actually analysed or look at any one player. None of those players are of interest.”

Inevitably there is plenty of speculation regarding the future of Luke Shaw, with Manchester United again linked with a move for the teenage left back. Pochettino is unequivocal in his answer.

“They can show their interest. That’s not something we control,” he insisted.

“But in this individual case he is not a player we are willing to sell.”

When asked if that was no matter how large the bid he added: “In a sporting manner he is not for sale.”