Saints are interested in signing Coventry striker Lukas Jutkiewicz before the loan window closes on Thursday.

The 22-year-old, who scored for the Sky Blues against Saints when the sides met at the Ricoh Arena earlier in the month, could join on an emergency loan with a view to a permanent move in January.

Jutkiewicz, who is valued at around £2m-£3m and is also a target for third-placed Middlesbrough, is Southampton born and bred, a Saints fan and was with the academy in the same year group as Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale before being released aged 14.

He has gone on to play for Swindon, Everton and Coventry, along as well as loan stints at Plymouth, Huddersfield and Motherwell.

If Saints can’t sort out a deal with Coventry in time – which it is understood could include player loans to the Midlands club from St Mary’s – then they may well revive their interest once the transfer window reopens in January.

Saints remain in the market for another striker and would prefer to get it done now. They tried without success to bolster their attacking department in the summer but the brilliant form of Rickie Lambert, alongside either David Connolly or Guly Do Prado, has meant it hasn’t become an issue.

However, with Connolly now set to be sidelined for at least a fortnight with a groin problem, and with Lee Barnard still being eased gently back into action after six months out, there is a lack of cover beyond Lambert and Do Prado.

Saints are flying high at the top of the Championship table and they do not want to risk their position coming under threat due to a lack of cover in one of the most important areas of the squad.

The loan window closes at 5pm on Thursday and after that they will be forced to stick with what they’ve got, for better or worse, until January.

Jutkiewicz would add another option. He is a strong striker and as such would also provide some form of back-up for Lambert.

With his Southampton connections he is thought to be keen on what would be a move back home to a club close to his heart.

Jutkiewicz first went to watch Saints at The Dell as a seven-year-old and developed in the club’s academy, a year below current Saints star Adam Lallana.

Following his Saints release he moved to Swindon and posted some impressive displays with the Robins prompting a switch to Everton for £1m.

Chances were hard to come by at Goodison Park and Jutkiewicz made just one appearance for the Toffees between loan spells lower down the leagues.

He moved to Coventry in August 2010 for £400,000 and has continued to impress.