Southampton's outstanding academy work is facing a body blow.

The Sun says Bristol City want the Premier League to shut the Saints' satellite operation at Bath, which caters for nearly 50 kids aged eight to 14.

The Premier League has stopped Southampton from registering any more players pending a review of whether such set-ups should be allowed under the new Elite Player Performance Plan.

Southampton's academy has category one status, and they say that unless Bristol City make the same level of investment, they should be allowed to go on filling the void in the West.

But the Premier League know if they let Southampton carry on at Bath, other clubs will demand to do something similar.

Manchester United, in particular, would love to have centres in the Midlands, London and so on - not just in areas where there are no category one academies.