BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl says the search has already begun to sign a replacement for the outgoing Ryan Bertrand.

Bertrand, the only senior left-back currently at the club, is set to leave Saints this summer when his contract expires.

The news was announced this week, bringing to an end the former Chelsea man's seven-year St Mary's stay.

And Hasenhuttl says Saints are already on the lookout for replacements.

"We were very far in the way that we bring somebody in, so I’m sure we will find a good solution for the summer," he explained.

"If we have the chance to bring somebody in in the summer on this position, a younger Ryan Bertrand if you want, that helps us with his quality or with his level of performances then we can develop this young lad and then we maybe get later an better player."

Saints have again this week been linked with a move for 20-year-old Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams.

Quizzed on if he is a player of interest, Hasenhuttl said: "We don’t want to discuss any person or any option we have.

"There are some very good ones, they are in our financial limits and this is important for us that we find a good package that fits us."