Saints will have to consider signing a new keeper this summer, with Fraser Forster ruled out for up to a year with a knee injury.

The 27-year-old England international underwent surgery yesterday after injuring his left patellar tendon in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Burnley.

The club have confirmed he will be sidelined for the rest of the season, but said a longer-term projection would be given in due course.

However, the normal timeframe for recovering from such an injury is nine to 12 months.

Kelvin Davis, 38, who came off the bench against the Clarets, is set to continue in goal until the end of the campaign.

Saints will then have to assess their options again, with Forster likely to be sidelined until Christmas, and perhaps beyond.

That could lead them to dip into the market when it opens, even if only for a loan to add additional strength in his absence.

The club’s medical department say they are confident Forster, who joined in a £10m move from Celtic last summer, will make a full recovery.

A statement last night said: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that Fraser Forster has successfully undergone surgery on the knee injury he suffered during Saturday’s win over Burnley.

“A scan on Monday showed that the goalkeeper had suffered damage to his left patellar tendon, with the injury and resultant surgery ruling him out for the remainder of this season.

“A longer-term prediction of when Forster will return to action will be made following further assessment once the effects of his operation have settled down.”

The club added they are “focused on ensuring Forster receives the best possible medical care and support in order for him to return to action as soon as is possible.”

Saints’ previous number one, Artur Boruc, is on loan at Bournemouth until the end of the season, when his contract expires, but cannot be recalled.

Les Reed, Saints’ executive director of football, said last night: “Fraser is an outstanding goalkeeper and has been a huge part of our success this season.

“While this is a challenging situation, we look forward to him returning to action as soon as he is fully fit.

“I am sure he will go on to make a significant number of appearances for Southampton and for England, and will get the best support available to help him recover to do so.

“No one will be any sadder than Kelvin Davis, who did an outstanding job replacing Fraser in such circumstances.

“Nobody could be better to step into the fray in terms of experience and ability.

“Kelvin is a big-game player, who will be ably supported by Paulo Gazzaniga and Cody Cropper.

“I am sure the team will now be even more motivated to ensure we stay miserly in front of our goal and ruthless at the other end.”