TWO former south coast goal aces could be among the most wanted strikers in the current Premier League transfer window.

QPR’s Charlie Austin, once of Poole Town, and ex-Cherries ace Danny Ings of Burnley are crucial to their clubs’ chances of staying up this season.

But they have continually been linked with bigger clubs, and the next few weeks will be fascinating to see if they stay loyal – if given the chance to move.

Here, the Daily Echo looks at where each top flight could strengthen this month ... and which players they could lose.

The transfer window closes at 11pm on February 2.

ARSENAL

What they need: The Gunners’ defensive shortcomings remain unsolved with a centre-half and a ball-winning midfielder still the priority.

Ex-Gunners star Ray Parlour has urged Arsene Wenger to try and sign Saints star Morgan Schneiderlin, who has been continually linked with the north London club for several years.

“He would be perfect for Arsenal, absolutely. Whether you can get him or not [I don’t know] because Southampton are in a very good position at the moment, they don’t want to let any of their players go at least until the end of the season,” said Parlour.

Striker Lukas Podolski has been sent on loan to Inter Milan.

Linked with: Morgan Schneiderlin, Virgil van Dijk, Ron Vlaar, Tyrone Mings, James Milner, Moussa Sissoko, William Carvalho Potential departures: Yaya Sanogo, Joel Campbell

ASTON VILLA

What they need: To hold on to Ronald Koeman’s former Feyenoord defender Ron Vlaar and midfield Fabian Delph, whose contracts both expire in the summer.

They also need to sign a winger who can provide better service to Christian Benteke, who has scored twice in 11 Premier League appearances this term.

With just 11 goals from 20 league games, Villa are the top flight’s lowest scorers, but with 22 conceded they have a better defensive record than Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Linked with:: Ikechi Anya, Matt Jarvis, Darren Fletcher, Lasse Vigen Christensen Potential departures: Fabian Delph, Ron Vlaar, Darren Bent

BURNLEY

What they need: Persuading top-scorer Danny Ings to sign a new contract, or at least to stay until the end of the season, is essential with the club unlikely to alter their prudent approach to Premier League spending.

Southampton-raised Ings, who has been linked with Saints, has said he will not leave this month, and a further boost for the club was a return to goalscoring form of another ex-Cherries striker, Sam Vokes.

The Lymington-born frontman netted in this week’s FA Cup draw with Tottenham, his first goal since suffering a serious knee ligament injury last March.

Linked with: Raul Albentosa, Giampaolo Pazzini Potential departures: Danny Ings

CHELSEA

What they need: Not very much. Jose Mourinho insists he has no plans to buy or sell in January.

Linked with: Raphael Varane, Wilfreid Bony, Marco Reus, Paul Pogba Potential departures: Mohamed Salah, Petr Cech

CRYSTAL PALACE

What they need: New manager Alan Pardew will bring his own ideas for potential recruits, but chairman Steve Parish continues to lead the club’s pursuit of at least one new striker.

Midfielder Mile Jedinak is the only Palace player with more than three league goals to his name so far.

Palace have only won once in the league since September 27, and Pardew will almost certainly bring in some new faces.

Linked with: Bafetimbi Gomis, Peter Crouch, Yaya Sanogo, Pape Souare, Darren Bent Potential departures: Andrew Johnson, Jerome Thomas

EVERTON

What they need: Injuries have contributed to a disappointing first half of the season for Roberto Martinez, who may have to dip into the loan market to secure more cover up front and in defence.

Linked with: Mohamed Salah, John Ruddy, Marcelo Brozovic, Adnan Januzaj, pictured right Potential departures: Christian Atsu, Bryan Oviedo

HULL CITY

What they need: The Tigers were very active in the summer and want those signings to settle before adding too many new faces, but a loan signing is not out of the question.

Linked with: Darren Fletcher, Lee Cattermole, Agyemang Badu, Aaron Lennon Potential departures: Yannick Sagbo

LEICESTER

What they need: Kasper Schmeichel being injured means a new goalkeeper is required and money may also be available for a forward and centre-back.

Linked with: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Danny Ings, Jermain Defoe, Troy Deeney, Jack Butland, David Marshall Potential departures: Nick Powell

LIVERPOOL

What they need: More upheaval is the last thing Liverpool want but it may be difficult to avoid given the team’s deficiencies in defence and up front.

The return of Daniel Sturridge can’t come quickly enough, as Rickie Lambert (1 goal from 5 starts and 11 as a sub) and Mario Balotelli (0 goals in 8 starts plus 3 as a sub) have struggled in the league.

Steven Gerrard is the team’s top league scorer with five goals, followed by Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling with four.

Linked with: Petr Cech, Sergio Romero, Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph, James Milner, Divock Origi, Saido Berahino, Charlie Austin.

Potential departures: Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini, Lucas, Glen Johnson

MANCHESTER CITY

What they need: A striker, preferably eligible in the Champions League, to provide cover for Sergio Aguero, and an extension to Frank Lampard’s loan deal from New York.

Manuel Pellegrini has been linked with a move for Paris St Germain’s Edinson Cavani, who cost the club £55m when he signed from Napoli two years ago.

Cavani has 13 goals this season.

Linked with: Edinson Cavani, David Villa Potential departures: Matija Nastasic, James Milner

MANCHESTER UNITED

What they need: Despite a huge spending spree last summer, Louis van Gaal is likely to be busy again in January.

He could be in the market for at least one central defender as well as a central midfielder required for United to become title challengers.

Norwegian starlet Martin Odegaard, just 16, could also be on van Gaal’s radar.

Manchester City have also been linked with a move for the Stromgodset teen.

Linked with: Kevin Strootman, Martin Odegaard, Mats Hummels, Victor Valdes Potential departures: Anderson, Darren Fletcher, Anders Lindegaard, Adnan Januzaj

NEWCASTLE

What they need: A goalscorer to help nine-goal Papiss Cisse would be beneficial – Ayoze Perez is the only other player at the club to score more than twice in the league so far.

In contrast, chairman Mike Ashley remains open to selling the club’s best players when the price is right – something which Alan Pardew’s replacement should be aware of.

Hatem Ben Arfa, who had been on loan to Hull, has already been sold to Nice.

Linked with: Danny Ings, Aleksandar Mitrovic Potential departures: Moussa Sissoko, right, Cheick Tiote, Tim Krul

QPR

What they need: To resist any offers for Charlie Austin and take the pressure off their star striker by signing at least one more centre forward.

Ex-Poole ace Austin’s goals are critical to QPR’s chances of staying up. He has 12 league strikes so far, with midfielder Leroy Fer next highest with three.

Harry Redknapp has unsurprisingly been linked with strikers Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, having signed both previously for Portsmouth and Tottenham.

Linked with: Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Mauro Zarate, Ravel Morrison Potential departures: Adel Taarabt, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Charlie Austin

SAINTS

What they need: The club’s resolve could be tested again over midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, but Ronald Koeman insists the club will not sell anyone this month.

Koeman has already signed Werder Bremen’s Eljero Elia on loan, but could also be in the market for a striker to provide competition or cover for 11-goal top scorer Graziano Pelle.

Linked with: Danny Ings, Jordan Rhodes, Nathan Redmond, Kevin Kampl, Jesus Corona, Philipp Wollscheid.

Potential departures: Morgan Schneiderlin.

STOKE CITY

What they need: Injuries to Peter Odemwingie and Victor Moses means Mark Hughes will look to strengthen his attacking options out wide.

Norwich winger Nathan Redmond, who Saints were keen on signing last summer before Sadio Mane’s arrival, has been linked – and Redmond could be keen on a move now the Canaries are seeking a new manager.

Linked with: Aaron Lennon, Junior Hoilett, Nathan Redmond, Matt Jarvis Potential departures: Andy Wilkinson, Wilson Palacios, Peter Crouch

SUNDERLAND

What they need: The Black Cats had the third lowest scoring total in the league at the turn of the year and desperately need a striker to supplement the misfiring Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher.

Linked with: Danny Ings, Fabio Borini, Mohamed Salah, Giampaolo Pazzini Potential departures: Jozy Altidore, Charis Mavrias, Lee Cattermole

SWANSEA

What they need: The club are confident of keeping Wilfried Bony but need cover for their in-form nine-goal striker, who goes away for the African Nations Cup.

Another left-back to compete with Neil Taylor would also prove useful.

They have already signed Exeter’s England under-20 international midfielder Matt Grimes for a deal said to be worth £1.7m.

Linked with: Joel Campbell, Alex Pritchard, Leo Baptistao.

Potential departures: Bafetimbi Gomis, Alan Tate, Wilfried Bony

TOTTENHAM

What they need: Slimming down a bloated squad will be Mauricio Pochettino’s priority, but a defensive midfielder and a striker would certainly prove welcome additions.

Linked with: Morgan Schneiderlin, Fabian Delph, Jay Rodriguez, Hector Moreno, Jackson Martinez, Saido Berahino Potential departures: Vlad Chiriches, Kyle Naughton, Mousa Dembele, Paulinho, Andros Townsend, Aaron Lennon

WEST BROM

What they need: New boss Tony Pulis will want funds to strengthen the struggling Baggies, but there is unlikely to be much activity unless top goalscorer Saido Berahino is allowed to leave for a large fee.

Linked with: Danny Ings, Matt Jarvis Potential departures: Saido Berahino, Jason Davidson

WEST HAM

What they need: If the club opt to sell defender Winston Reid rather than risk losing him on a free in the summer, Sam Allardyce will want defensive reinforcement.

The Hammers are unlikely to be busy, though, after a successful window last summer.

Linked with: Nicolas N’Koulou, Doneil Henry Potential departures: Winston Reid, Ravel Morrison, Matt Jarvis