Saints will redouble their efforts to ensure they have a new centre half by the close of the transfer window.

Ronald Koeman was short of defenders to select from for Saturday’s defeat against Everton with Ryan Bertrand, Steven Caulker and Florin Gardos all out injured.

Cuco Martina was the only defender on the bench against the Toffees.

Saints have made an approach for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, but the Scottish side are keen to complete their Champions League qualification campaign before entertaining a possible deal.

The club have also been linked with Napoli’s French centre half Kalidou Koulibaly.

With five goals conceded in the first two league games of the season, it is looking an increasing priority.

Koeman said: “Everybody knows we are working at one more defender, and then I think we have a very good squad for this season, and we know that. A little bit unlucky in our options what we don’t have at the moment.

“One defender on the bench and Matthew Targett played 90 minutes and he was ill, he wasn’t 100 per cent and we have to accept that and we can’t change that situation.”