Mauricio Pochettino has added his name to the growing list of people who want to see Jason Puncheon handed a new Saints contract.

The midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of the season but as yet there is no sign of a new contract for the 26-year-old.

Puncheon has proven himself as a Premier League player with a string of excellent displays since Saints won promotion and there has been a growing clamour for the club to tie him down to an extended spell at St Mary’s with other clubs said to be circling.

Pochettino said: “I myself haven’t spoken anything about his contract.

“I’ve only recently arrived so my first priority has to be the whole of the team, not just one player. There are certain movements that were already happening with players when I arrived.

“In the coming weeks we will be speaking at a club level with the appropriate people to decide on the matters of players at the club.

“Puncheon is a player I am counting on and he is a player that has certain qualities and skills that are good for the team so, yes, I’d like him to stay.”

Full story and more Saints news in today's Daily Echo