WILL Gareth Southgate's elevation to the England caretaker manager post see more Saints promoted into the senior squad?

That is a question worth asking in the light of the current under-21 boss having been placed in charge of the senior side's next four games in the wake of Sam Allardyce's departure.

The ex-Middlesbrough manager has the chance to shape the England team heading into 2017.

Nathan Redmond has long been seen as the next player to step off the under-21 conveyor belt and into the senior squad and the Saints man is someone Southgate knows well.

Redmond scored an under-21 hat-trick during Southgate's time in charge, against Wales at Swansea in 2015.

Saints team-mate Charlie Austin has five goals in his last four games, and could be worth a look at - especially as Harry Kane is currently out through injury.

Saints midfielder James Ward-Prowse might also be given a senior chance.

Southgate knows the player well, and last season made him his England under-21 captain.

Southgate has also regularly selected Saints left back Matt Targett in 2016, though he is very unlikely to win a shock senior call ahead of Danny Rose, clubmate Ryan Bertrand or ex-Saint Luke Shaw.

Shaw is one of five Saints to have made their senior England debut since 2013 - the others being Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne.

In addition, Calum Chambers made his senior international debut not long after leaving Saints to join Arsenal in 2014.