Charlie Austin’s future at Saints depends on whether Ralph Hasenhuttl can bring in a replacement before letting the striker go.

It’s been reported that four clubs are interested in signing Austin on loan, but the Daily Echo understands the St Mary’s side are only keen for him to leave on a permanent basis.

Hasenhuttl was quizzed about the 29-year-old’s future at Saints and said: “I think we just did what we wanted to do to make this group smaller.

Daily Echo: Saints chief Ralph HasenhuttlSaints chief Ralph Hasenhuttl

“Now it’s a size of group that you can work really well with, so it’s not necessary to send anyone away anymore.

“We don’t want to send him away.

“If there is an option that he can make a good step and we get someone else in then it can be that this works.

“Until now, it’s not done. It can go very quick in that moment, so we’ll have a look.”

Cardiff are being reported as the favourites to land Austin if he were to leave Saints.

Daily Echo: Cardiff boss Neil WarnockCardiff boss Neil Warnock

However, Neil Warnock’s side already have already used up their entitlement to have two domestic players on loan with Harry Arter and Oumar Niasse.

This means they would only be able to sign the striker on a permanent deal which would favour Saints.