Harrison Reed is expected to depart Saints on loan as Mark Hughes tries to get game time for some of the club’s younger players.

Josh Sims moved to Reading for the season earlier in the week, with Hughes revealing the club have the option to recall him in January if they want to.

Reed, who spent last season on loan at Norwich, is reportedly a loan target for Blackburn, and Hughes, who played down rumours Matt Targett might also move, confirmed he could potentially depart on a temporary basis in the near future.

He said: “There have been a number of inquiries from Championship clubs in regards to our young players.

“Some may go through. I haven’t got any updates.

“Harrison Reed is looking at one club as we speak and there has been interest in other guys as well. We will see if it develops today.

“Other than that there is no real urgency to get these guys out. It’s if we feel it is the right club at the right time.

“Josh Sims has gone out to Reading and we felt after the pre-season he had where he missed a bit of time he needed games of a good level and the reality was he wouldn’t get enough in this first period.

“We have a release clause in January that we can invoke so we can get him back.”