George Burley hit out at the current transfer regulations after seeing Saints frustrated in their efforts to bolster the squad last month.

The January transfer window has again come in for widespread criticism throughout football and Burley believes it has, temporarily at least, dented his rebuilding plans.

Burley confirmed that Saints did have cash offers in for several players right up until the end of January, but with the window shutting at midnight at the end of last month, there is now no room for manoeuvre until the summer.

"Honestly, I think it's a waste of time," said Burley of the transfer window.

"I don't see any advantage out of it, whether you are a club buying or selling. For a selling club it could financially put them out of business because once the window closes you can't get any revenue in.

"If you are a buying club it is equally frustrating to be restricted in this way.

"We tried to buy a number of players, but it didn't come off and now the window is closed.

"I'm not a lover of the window at all and I don't see any advantage of it all but that's the rules.

"I don't think there's many in football who like it."

Burley has overseen a massive overhaul in the playing squad in his short time at the club but feels things are starting to fall into place.

He is still hoping to have two new loan signings in until the end of the season, but they won't be available until the match at Reading a week today as transfer rules now state that such deals cannot commence until Wednesday.

Burley added: "When you come to a club you look at things and there's been a lot of changes but it's got to be done if we're to move forward.

"Losing players has allowed us to bring quality players in and to try and build for promotion next season.

"We made four or five big offers without any joy and we will look again in the summer.

"It is going to be a fight until the end of the season and we need the fans to get behind the team because it is going to be tough.

"We need to make sure we don't get into that relegation zone."

Saints face a massive match at home to Derby this week. A win at St Mary's tomorrow would edge Saints away from the relegation scrap at the bottom of the table and put clear light between themselves and Burley's former club.

However, they will be without David Prutton who will be missing for five to six weeks with the ankle injury he sustained against Leicester last weekend.

Also missing is Djamel Belmadi who has not recovered from his Achilles injury and long-term absentee Michael Svensson.