NATHAN Jones admitted the January transfer window will not be “super busy” but insists Saints must improve their squad, whether that is “one, two, three or 10” signings.

The Welshman has overseen three defeats from his first three Premier League games since being appointed as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s successor at the beginning of January.

Saints are rock-bottom of the division and, although there are only five points between them and Leicester in 13th, only two teams have survived from this position at this time in the last 10 years.

Jones was asked about his intentions for the January window, with Sport Republic buying 10 players in the summer alone, as well as select rumours that have emerged in recent weeks.

One such was the potential return of Jan Bednarek from his loan spell at Aston Villa, where he is hardly getting a look in, to strengthen in defence.

Daily Echo: Aston Villa’s Jan Bednarek (left) and Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford battle for the ball at Elland Road

He responded: “There are certain positions we want to strengthen in because we need help and competition in those positions.

“That is one position where we would like to strengthen in,” Jones admitted. “But I’m not going to say anything on names now because there is a lot going on.

“It’s not going to be a super busy January but we would like to make sure the squad we come out of January with is better.”

Another player who could return from a loan spell, but one who has a considerably larger degree of success, is academy graduate Nathan Tella.

Daily Echo:

The 23-year-old has scored eight goals in 22 Championship matches for league-leaders Burnley, who look set for an instant return to the Premier League under Vincent Kompany.

Asked about the forward, Jones said: “Every possibility is open but what we have to make sure we do is make sure the squad we go into the January window with is weaker than the one we come out of it with.

“Whether that’s one, two, three or 10, we have to ensure we are in a better position by the end of the window to win games and have competition within the squad. We have to make sure we have a positive end to the season.”

Jones has previously been honest in suggesting that he has not been able to play the way he and his coaches would desire due to the personnel and availability within his squad.

But when asked again if he wants to play a three-at-the-back formation, after returning to it for the first half of the 2-1 defeat at Fulham, his frank response could suggest a more all-encompassing approach to transfer strategy.

Daily Echo: Southampton manager Nathan Jones

“I want to win games, I don’t care what shape we play, I really don’t, I just want to win football matches,” he insisted.

“At the minute, we have played a back three because we’re not the biggest team in the world and when you come up against teams that are big, they’re good from set plays and we need to give ourselves a chance of being dominant in our own box and being a threat in the other.

“That’s what we need to do so I don’t mind, throughout my manager career I have played a 4-2-3-1, I’ve played a diamond, throughout the promotions I played a back three and I got to the playoffs with a low-budget side, it’s the principles that are more important.

"If we’re the side that can handle absolutely everything then I’d play a certain way.”

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