Southampton manager Claude Puel is looking at possibilities to sign a new defender this month.

The Saints lost captain Jose Fonte to West Ham United last week and the French manager is now eyeing a possible solution to fill the void left by the Portugal international.

The south coast club continue to be heavily linked with Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka.

"We will study possibilities to replace him," Puel told reporters at a press conference ahead of the EFL Cup semi-final with Liverpool.

"That's normal. There is a possibility until the end of the market.

"For the moment at centre back we have Maya Yoshida, (Virgil) van Dijk, (Florin) Gardos and Jack Stephens, and we will see if we have an opportunity, or if we will stay with our confidence in these players.

"We will see at the end of the market.

"For me, I am happy with all the squad and I respect my players. I am happy with these players and if one or two come into the squad then I think it will be important they can bring something more than the players for the moment in the squad."

Quizzed further on the prospect of signing Jagielka, Puel added: "No comment."