SAINTS are still in talks with defender Ryan Bertrand over a contract extension - with his current deal set to run out in the summer.

The experienced full-back is yet to sign fresh terms at the St Mary’s outfit, with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl saying they remain “in negotiations” with the England international.

Bertrand has played 235 games for Saints at senior level, having signed permanently from Chelsea in 2015 following a successful loan spell.

The left-back has also gone on to win 19 senior caps for England.

Asked for the latest on a new deal for the 31-year-old, Hasenhuttl said: “We are in negotiations with him and this will stay until the end of the season.

“I think we should do our job at first, we should look that we stay in the league – finish the league in a good way.

“We try to develop, we try to extend all the contracts that are important for us.

“You can be sure that in the background the negotiations are going on.”

Saints’ immediate focus lies with a home game against Brighton on Sunday (noon).

Victory could take Hasenhuttl’s troops 10 points clear of the bottom three in the Premier League.

Speaking about that game, defender Bertrand said: “I think we have done well against them the past few times we have played them.

“But they are a great team. They are down there, they will be fighting but we need to fight for points also.

“They have our full respect and we will try to get the win though, hopefully.”

In seven Premier League contests against the Seagulls, Saints have won three and drawn four.

A late Danny Ings penalty gave Hasenhuttl’s men a 2-1 victory over Graham Potters side at the AMEX back in December.