Ryan Seager and Sam Gallagher sent a message 750 miles to Ronald Koeman as they fired Saints to the final of the Under-21 Premier League Cup last night.

Seager scored a 14 minute hat-trick and Gallagher the other as Saints defeated Derby 4-2 at St Mary’s to book a two-legged final with Blackburn.

Koeman might be in Switzerland on a short break with his first team squad, but will have already received reports from under-21 boss Martin Hunter about the young strike duo, who are both 19.

With the first team having struggled for goals of late it will be more than food for thought as Saints look to finish their season on a high and secure European football.

Gallagher already has first team experience under his belt, with 20 appearances and two goals last season, but has not played this term due to a knee injury from which he has just recovered.

As a 6ft 4in presence, Gallagher certainly has the attributes to be a direct replacement for struggling Graziano Pelle, now ten Premier League games without a goal, if Koeman feels he needs such a player in the remaining ten matches of the campaign.

Seager’s form has already been recognised this season with two recent appearances off the bench for the first team, and he was in predatory form last night, scoring with his head, a clinical side foot finish and a striker’s tap-in.

The win gives Hunter’s youngsters the chance to pick up the club’s first major silverware at youth level since 2006, when a side containing Gareth Bale and Adam Lallana tasted glory with the under-18s.

Given that this under-21 side is without potential star players such as James Ward-Prowse, Harrison Reed and Matt Targett who are now in Koeman’s squad, yet still boasted eight starters with first team experience, underscores the principles Saints are aiming to build upon.