RALPH Hasenhuttl insists he is "not scared" of potential interest in his players during the upcoming January transfer window, adding: "There are other players out there who are waiting to step into this team."

Clubs will be permitted to sign and sell players again from January 2 until February 1.

Asked if Saints' good form puts them at more risk of bigger clubs circling for their top talent next month, Hasenhuttl said: "It seems rapid that the next transfer window comes – it seems like yesterday that I spoke about the last one, which was closed a little bit later.

"I am never scared of any transfer window because this is the way we go.

"When we are performing well and other clubs are coming, wanting to take our players and give you the money you want, then you always discuss it.

"We are never a club at the highest in Europe, this will never be, but we are also not a selling club.

"If it is necessary, we have to. If players don't extend their contracts, and they are free and have to go, then they go."

He added: "We can only do what is in our limits and this is what we definitely do. For this, I am not scared.

"When you play well, it is fantastic for everybody.

"If one (player) makes an earlier step to a higher level because they want him, then I can live with this, it is no problem.

"There are other players out there who are waiting to step into this team.

"We have shown in the past we can lose captains, strikers, whatever, and still are getting better. This must be in the future the same."