SAINTS manager Russell Martin has no concerns over defensive depth despite the early exit of Mason Holgate.
The 27 year old centre-back was recalled from his season-long loan by Everton to join Premier League Sheffield United.
Saints made no attempts to replace Holgate, leaving them with three senior centre-backs, two right-backs and a left-back.
Martin is confident the versatility of the entire group can get Saints through any potential pitfalls in the final 18 matches of the league season.
He told the Daily Echo: "We have got three top centre-halves and one of them is going to be frustrated at not playing at any given point.
"If we lose someone, we have people more than capable of stepping in there," Martin continued.
"James Bree can play there, Shea Charles can play there and Ryan Manning did it for a season for us at Swansea.
"I don't see that being a huge issue to be honest. I think we are really comfortable with what we have got.
"It is a small squad and we will still have a couple of young guys on the bench this weekend, they will have opportunities to get minutes."
Saints completed their incomings for the month with their second loan signing from AFC Bournemouth - David Brooks.
Deadline day was so quiet Martin spent it swimming in the sea and walking walking his dog - a Cocker Spaniel called Barney.
"Once we signed Brooksy we knew we wouldn't have any more coming in," he explained.
"Jason Wilcox kept me up to date about Charly (Alcaraz) which was probably going to end up happening at some point, and Mason as well.
"We were really unsure what would happen. I know there was all the stuff the week before but he genuinely was here and I told you that.
"We knew there was interest and we have tried to help Mason because he has been good as a character and trained properly despite being frustrated.
"Jason really tried to help Mason to enable that deal for him to and play football back in the Premier League.
"Once we knew they were done, there was not any last-minute trying to get anyone done or anything like that.
"I spoke with Jason, Phil (Parsons) and the ownership last week about where we were at and everyone was really comfortable with it."
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