More Saints signings on the way - Adkins (From Daily Echo)

More Saints signings on the way - Adkins

9:00am Friday 10th August 2012 in Sport By Gordon Simpson , Senior Sports Reporter

Nigel Adkins has assured Saints fans he will bring in more new faces before the transfer window closes.

With the start of the Premier League season looming, there have been just four new arrivals this summer.

While Adkins is delighted with those additions, he has promised that the club’s business is not yet done.

The manager has admitted, though, that the transfer market has been slow.

“I would imagine there would be more players coming in,” he said.

“If you ask every other manager the same thing they’ll all be saying the same thing, because it’s been very quiet actually.

“Like everything, it can be like a domino effect that goes on.

“We are still very actively looking to bring some players in and we will do.

“We have to make sure we get the right ones in. We have to get them in, but we have to get right ones in.”

Saints’ business has so far consisted of £7m striker Jay Rodriguez, who joined in a club record deal, midfielder Steven Davis , right back Nathaniel Clyne and keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

While the first three are expected to be regular starters, Gazzaniga is likely to provide back-up to current number one Kelvin Davis .

Adkins insists he is thrilled with the quality of players that have arrived this summer, but admits he is also hoping for more before the window shuts at the end of the month – and probably before Saints kickoff at champions Manchester City a week on Sunday.

“The additions that we’ve brought in are excellent additions so we are pleased with that,” he said.

“We still expect to do business and if you look at all the other clubs they are going to be in exactly the same situation and the same boat.”

Having already addressed certain areas, it is fairly clear what positions Saints are still hoping to strengthen in.

They are certainly light on numbers at the heart of defence, with Blackburn’s Scott Dann a notable link in that position.

However, a £6m buyout clause in his contract makes a deal prohibitive any potential suitor.

Adkins is keen to inject some pace out wide, with PSV’s Dutch speedster Jeremain Lens having been on the radar.

Saints had also been expected to bring in Vitesse Arnhem left back Alexander Buttner, who can play a more advanced role too, only for that deal to collapse.

“There are positions that we’ve targeted, there’s players that we’ve targeted and there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes at Southampton to make that happen,” said Adkins.