FORMER Saints defender Steven Caulker’s surprise move to Lokomotiv Moscow is looking increasingly unlikely.

The 25-year-old centre-back has struggled to make an impact at Queens Park Rangers since making an £8m move from Cardiff in 2014, spending time on loan at Saints and Liverpool last term.

Caulker has made 14 appearances for QPR this season but has been in talks with Lokomotiv Moscow about a shock move to Russia.

Lokomotiv jumped the gun with several posts on social media suggesting the deal was close to completion last week but yesterday posted a Twitter video suggesting the move was ‘cancelled’.

It is understood a deal is tentatively still being discussed, although a departure is now looking increasingly unlikely.

Caulker, who has made one senior appearance for England, has not played for QPR on October 28 due to a hip injury.

Brought in on loan by Ronald Koeman in the summer of 2015, Caulker only made six starts for Saints - three of which were in the Europa League.

His last appearance was in the dismal 6-1 home thrashing by Liverpool in the quarter final of the League Cup.

Despite his poor performance that night, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp swooped in the January transfer window to take the player to Anfield on loan.

Caulker proceeded to make three sub appearances in the league, as well as one FA Cup start.