George Burley has reiterated his stance on Gareth Bale as the media speculation draws to a crescendo.

The Saints boss came in for something of a grilling as a much larger than usual media contingent rolled up at Staplewood just after lunchtime for the regular pre-match press conference.

The attraction of a game against a Premiership side at the weekend and the imminent closure of the transfer window and the on-going Bale speculation proved a major draw.

But Burley happily batted away questions - but without giving much away.

He would neither confirm nor deny reports of a £10m bid, instead just maintaining there "has been interest" in the player.

When asked directly if by saying Bale would stay until the end of the season that meant he would not be sold or if he was he would be loaned back Burley would simply say "the stipulation is Gareth will be here until the end of the season."

He said: "I think it's gone a bit over the top because every time I put the TV on Gareth's scoring a free kick.

"There's been so much speculation and I've said from day one Gareth will be here until the end of the season no matter what so nothing changes.

"His progression is the key.

"I've said Gareth's still got a long way to go, the team's still in very early stages of gelling and getting everything right so a gradual progression will take time."

He added: "There has been interest but no matter what, wherever was going to pay £50m or £60m Gareth was going to be until the end of the season and that's where we are.

"At some point Gareth will leave and things will be agreed but the key I feel is that Gareth needs the rest of this season and next.

"We've agreed with Gareth and his parents that he'll certainly be here for the rest of this season and I would like him to stay another one so we'll take it from there in the summer.

"I think because he's such a phenomenal talent and when that happens there is a lot of interest and we can't stop that.

"Virtually every big club would be interested to take him but that's the nature of the job and the nature of having a very talented player."