The transfer window is shut, and Ronald Koeman’s Saints squad is finally set.

Now, the club’s manager can, at last, safely get on with the task of deciding his best XI.

Given the options available to him, it should be an enjoyable – if not always easy – process.

Saints certainly endured some challenging times during the summer window, but they appear to have emerged from it with a strong squad that provides options in all positions.

Ahead of tomorrow’s game against Newcastle, the Daily Echo takes a look at what might be the best team available...

GOALKEEPER

This is fairly self-explanatory.

Fraser Forster was signed to become the new number-one, and his early performances have underlined just why Saints were willing to pay £10m to Celtic for his services.

The only matter of debate in this department is whether Artur Boruc will be willing to serve as his back-up. If not, Kelvin Davis will take on the role as primary understudy.

DEFENCE

Despite the summer departures of Dejan Lovren and Luke Shaw, Saints have constructed a defensive unit that seems to offer plenty of strength, as well as depth.

Nathaniel Clyne has been one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers at right-back in the early part of the season, while Ryan Bertrand on the opposite side of the pitch looks to be an excellent acquisition.

Toby Alderweireld provides an impressive option beyond Clyne, while teenager Matt Targett backs-up Bertrand.

In the centre of defence, the picture is less clear right now.

Jose Fonte and Maya Yoshida have looked good alongside each other, but the additions of Alderweireld and Florin Gardos means there is great competition in that area.

With the pedigree Alderweireld has, it seems likely he will take one of the roles, while team captain Fonte will be hard to shift. But finding a balance of right-sided and left-sided centre halves may also be a factor.

MIDFIELD

t is perhaps overlooked by many outside of Southampton just how exceptionally strong Saints are here.

For all the talk of a supposed “exodus” this summer, it cannot be understated how important it was that Morgan Schneiderlin stayed.

Arguably the best player over the course of the past two seasons, the French international – and it is about time we are able to write that – is the heartbeat of the team.

Schneiderlin will be the kingpin in the centre of midfield again this term and, with Koeman appearing to favour the deployment of just one true holding midfield player, he has a pivotal role.

Additionally, there are the destructive powers of Victor Wanyama, who can provide additional steel.

Steven Davis and James Ward-Prowse have so far been preferred in slightly more advanced central positions, but Saints also have the notable presence of Jack Cork, as well as emerging talent Harrison Reed, meaning they are well stocked.

ATTACK

Let’s start with the wide positions.

Summer signing Dusan Tadic has been a magnificent addition to the side so far, and, to this point at least, has meant Saints have not really missed the presence of Adam Lallana.

He is an absolute must for a starting position at the moment.

Koeman has taken to playing fellow new arrival Shane Long on the right side, but urging him to get close to the lone striker’s position.

This may change now, with the deadline day addition of Sadio Mane, the Senegalese winger who possesses a jaw-dropping attacking record.

There is real excitement about the 22-year-old and the dimension that he could add going forward.

Koeman could decide to shift Tadic inside at some point, in order to accommodate both Mane and Long, but for now it will probably be just one of those two who gets a wide position, with Mane the more natural option.

Through the middle, Graziano Pelle has so far filled the striker role.

After a quiet start, he has begun to come to life, and he capped a fine display at West Ham with a well-deserved goal in the 3-1 win.

Long, who is good at playing off the last shoulder and getting in behind, provides a different option to Pelle’s target-man role, and it is probably a straight shootout between these two for the job at the moment.

Right now, Pelle has control of the shirt.

At some point, though, Jay Rodriguez’s return will add another option – and a tremendous one at that. With 15 league goals last season, largely from a wider role, the England international can fill any attacking position Koeman would like.

And if he can recapture the form of 2013/14 then he will almost certainly have to be an automatic choice.

For now, though, he remains unavailable.