RALPH Hasenhuttl refused to discuss a reported Saints exit for defender Jack Stephens, who has been linked with Watford.

Earlier this week, The Athletic reported that the Championship outfit are in talks with the former England under-21 international.

They could choose to pursue either a loan with an obligation-to-buy or a permanent move for 28-year-old Stephens, who played the second-half of the 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

Hasenhuttl would like to trim the size of his squad with 26 players all vying to be involved in his a 20 man matchday unit, not including academy starlets.

However, Hasenhuttl, speaking ahead of his side’s visit to Leicester City, refused to discuss individual reports – saying it is expected that the transfer window begins to get busy.

Daily Echo:

“I don't want to discuss any personality that you bring up now,” the Austrian said, asked about the reports on Stephens.

“We have so many players that are named for us and going out for us. It doesn't make sense (to talk about them). I'm sure for the next two weeks you see the transfer market it is more busy.”

He continued: “A lot of teams have struggled with a few injuries. You see what is working, where you missed players. It is normal.

“The transfer market is getting busy. We keep our eyes open, we hope that we do the right thing in the right moment.”

Stephens played 11 times in the Premier League for Hasenhuttl last campaign, but his last three appearances were 90 minutes in the defeats to Aston Villa, Liverpool and Leicester City.

Stephens has been at St Mary’s for over a decade, having signed from Plymouth Argyle for a reported fee of just £150,000 in 2011.

“We will see what happens with the squad in the end. Very often players, when they see they are not playing, they want to leave. And we discuss this with them," Hasenhuttl added.

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