SAINTS will continue working on getting unwanted goalkeeper Fraser Forster out on loan by the end of this month – but Mark Hughes doesn't mind if he does stay.

Forster, who is keen to find regular football elsewhere, is understood to have been up for grabs all summer but was still very much a Saints player as the transfer window slammed shut on Thursday.

However, the 30-year-old is still able to make a move to the Football League or Europe on loan, with the transfer still in full swing on the continent and English leagues below the Premier League still able to loan players until August 31.

England goalkeeper Forster has been out of favour at Saints throughout 2018, having been dropped at the tail end of 2017 by Mauricio Pellegrino after his drop-off in form culminated in him conceding five goals at Tottenham.

Alex McCarthy subsequently took the number one jersey and Saints brought in Angus Gunn from Manchester City to compete with the former Crystal Palace shot stopper in the summer.

All this means Forster – one of the club's highest earners –is now third choice, is yet to play under Hughes, who replaced Pellegrino March, and will only get game time if he seals a move away from St Mary’s.

“We may be open to that but obviously Fraser will have a view on that as well, if there is interest or the clubs that are interested come in for him, it’s a decision he will have to have a thought on," Hughes said.

“If it’s a good option, a viable option for him then he would probably take it because he wants to play.

“He’s clearly a little bit frustrated, we’ll just have to wait and see.

“If it’s not the right club for him, or the right country, or the right level then as a manager I’m quite happy to have three outstanding keepers. We’re all a little bit selfish.”

Saints have no injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League opener against Burnley at St Mary’s.

Portugal international Cedric Soares is back on the south coast after delaying his return because of an apparent stomach bug.

And the right-back is in contention for the Clarets visit.

“Cedric’s been back since Monday. He’s was poorly last week. He’s come back,” Hughes said.

“He looks OK. He’s a fit guy. Obviously he’s been to the World Cup, so if I feel he’s right and he’s ready then it won’t be a problem for him to play.

“We’ll see how it goes. We’ve got a couple of days with him. If he’s honest with himself and honest with us about how he feels.

“We’ll have the conversation nearer the time, but as things stand he’s certainly an option.

“I’ve got a fully fit squad of 25 players, ready to go.”