THE January transfer window opens tomorrow – but Saints boss Ronald Koeman is not bracing himself for a busy month’s activity.

The Dutchman has already revealed he will be bringing in winger Eljero Elia on loan from German club Werder Bremen.

That is to cover the fact that Saints will soon by without Sadio Mane because of the Africa Cup of Nations.

With Sam Gallagher still recovering from injury and Emmanuel Mayuka also off on Africa Cup of Nations duty, Saints are short of attacking options.

Graziano Pelle and Shane Long will soon be the only two recognised strikers in Koeman’s first team squad – highlighting the need for potential reinforcements.

But speaking earlier this month about the forthcoming transfer window, the Dutchman reflected: “I don’t think that we need a defender, I don’t think that we need a midfielder.

“Only in front we have not a lot of options.

“When we start the season I was waiting for Jay Rodriguez to have him back in January and he isn’t back now.

“That means we need another one.

“Sam Gallagher has an injury and we have to wait how he comes back after his injury and that makes it a little more difficult.

“That’s the reason we look outside to bring in a new attacker.”

That attacker could well be Dutch international winger Elia.

But the 27-year-old is not a known goalscoring threat, with just four goals in his last three seasons.

Saints have been linked with Blackburn’s £12m-rated Scottish international striker Jordan Rhodes and Southampton-raised Burnley striker Danny Ings.

But Ings yesterday stated he is keen to stay at Turf Moor and help the Clarets avoid relegation.

Rhodes, 24, has been a prolific scorer for both Huddersfield Town and Blackburn in the past few seasons.

He made his name at Huddersfield, belting 40 goals in 45 league and cup appearances in 2011/12 during the Terriers’ League 1 promotion winning season.

During one purple patch, he blasted 12 goals in just five games including four in a 4-4 draw at Sheffield Wednesday and five in a 6-0 romp at Wycombe.

Rhodes signed for Blackburn towards the end of the 2012 transfer window for £8m, and went on to hit 31 league and cup goals for Rovers.

He netted 25 Championship goals in 2013/14 and has netted nine in 26 appearances this term.