SAINTS defender Romain Perraud has been ruled out for the rest of the season after the injury he picked up versus AFC Bournemouth.

The Frenchman lasted only 36 minutes of Thursday’s 0-1 defeat at home to the Cherries, withdrawn after going down off the ball.

Perraud – who remains under contract at Saints until 2025 – is one player tipped to potentially leave the club over the summer if relegated to the Championship.

The 26 year old has made 36 appearances in all competitions for Saints this season, adding to his 23 last campaign following a summer move from French club Stade Brest.

Manager Ruben Selles offered a brief update on his status, saying: “He will have surgery on Thursday and is out for the rest of the season. We hope that for the pre-season he will be ready.”

Perraud missed this season’s pre-season following a leg fracture so it is consecutive summers in rehabilitation for the defender.

It is unclear what impact an injury could have on his ability to move to another club over the summer transfer window.