Saints have wasted no time in preparing for the January transfer window by agreeing a loan switch for Eljero Elia.

The club have confirmed that the 27-year-old Dutch international winger will move to St Mary’s on loan from Werder Bremen for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent deal once the window formally opens at the start of 2015.

Elia will initially provide cover for Sadio Mane as he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Due to the timings of the opening of the window and the cut off for registering players for the FA Cup third round, Elia will first be available for a Saints debut against Manchester United on January 11. That fixture is the first Mane will miss after joining up with the Senegal squad.

Ronald Koeman said: “I think it’s a good option because what I said before we need at least one player in front because we will lose Sadio Mane in January as he will play the Africa Cup. We need a player on that position.

“He was a Dutch international, had not such a good period in Germany, but I believe in the qualities of the player.”

He added: “He’s a wing player and normally we play always with a left wing player, right wing player, and we like in our style fast people who can play one against one and with qualities.”

Elia started his career at ADO Den Haag before spells with Twente, Hamburg, Juventus and current club Werder Bremen, with his various moves costing €20m in transfer fees.

He has won 27 caps for the Dutch side, scoring two goals, and was part of the squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Looking ahead to January, Koeman also confirmed that the club will not sell anybody in the window and said he was unaware of reports that they will take Twente youngster Dario Tanda on trial as he would be an under-21 player rather than a first teamer.

The Elia move is likely to be the only one Saints make in the January window and will provide much needed extra depth in the squad as three players prepare to jet away over the coming days for significant spells away from St Mary’s to play for their national sides.

“We have three players who will play for the national teams,” reported Koeman.

“(Emmanuel) Mayuka will go now on this weekend because we have more players available on that position.

“Maya (Yoshida) I spoke to the national coach of Japan and Maya will stay until after the game against Arsenal.

“Sadio will stay until after the game against Ipswich.”