Mark Hughes is facing a left back dilemma as Saints brace themselves for bids for all three of their current stars.

Ryan Bertrand, Matt Targett and Sam McQueen are all attracting interest from other clubs, leaving Hughes and the club a choice over who to keep and who to move on.

Saints ideally want two strong choices for every position and so in theory one of the trio would be surplus to requirements.

However, the fact there is strong interest in all three gives Hughes the chance to shake things up still further if he so wishes.

Bertrand has been the clear first choice for a number of years, but has been linked with several clubs, including Tottenham, Newcastle and Wolves.

The 28-year-old missed out on the England squad for this summer’s World Cup and could be keen for what would likely be one final big move and lucrative contract after four years at St Mary’s.

Matt Targett would be the natural successor to Bertrand, but he is sought after by Fulham.

Targett was an instrumental part in the Cottagers winning promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, making 18 appearances for the West London side after joining on loan in January.

The 22-year-old has struggled to establish himself as the first choice left back at Saints despite a few bursts in the team where he has showed much promise.

It is understood that Targett is keen to get much more game time next season if he stays at Saints having had another taste of playing regularly with Fulham.

Whether he is seen by Hughes as a potential replacement for Bertrand in the first team if the more senior man were to move on could be a key factor in the decision.

Fulham are boosted by the riches that Premier League status brings them and are believed to be keen to bring in Targett on a permanent basis if Saints will agree to sell him.

Sam McQueen is the third choice for the left back role and is currently being coveted by ambitious Bristol City, who are likely to lose Joe Bryan.

The 23-year-old, like Targett a product of the Saints academy, looked to be drifting out of the club before Claude Puel converted him from a left winger to a left back.

However, after Puel’s departure and with less matches without a Europa League campaign, McQueen has struggled for much game time, making just seven appearances last season.

He is at a stage of his career where he needs to be playing and it is thought unlikely Hughes would elevate McQueen to become first choice left back at this stage.

It leaves Saints with an interesting dilemma to chew over as to whether to sell one of the trio, two of them, or potentially even all three and bring in some new faces.