SAINTS boss Nathan Jones has insisted that experienced winger Theo Walcott will play a ‘vital’ role in his side's crucial second half of the season.

The 33-year-old Saints academy graduate has started just once in the Premier League this season and has recently been out of action with a calf problem before returning for a late cameo in Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Blackpool.

That was only Walcott's sixth appearance of the season in all competitions as he's struggled for minutes amongst a crowded group of forward players at the club.

READ MORE: Live updates on Saints ins and outs as striker hunt goes late

But even as Saints chase attacking reinforcements in the final hours of the January transfer window, Jones believes the rarely utilised 47-time England international will have a major role to play in the final five months of the campaign.

"He'll be really important for us,” Jones said on Monday ahead of this evening’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg clash with Newcastle. 

“One, with his athleticism, two, his experience, and three, his quality as well. He has been and he was effective before picking up a small injury.

"But he understands things when we do stuff. He picks it all up so quickly because, let's be honest, he's been probably world class from when he started his career, so that's a big bonus.

"So he'll be vital to us. In the building we have potency, it's just improving it, giving it a structure where it can be effective. And then if we can get some help then fine."

Jones hasn’t been shy about his desire to add attacking firepower to his squad before the end of the window and with time ticking down to tonight’s 11PM deadline, Saints have been linked with a host of names. 

Follow our deadline day live blog for all the latest updates of what promises to be an interesting conclusion to the transfer window.

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