Southampton boss Nigel Adkins insists he's unaware of rival interest for Ricki Lambert.

Adkins surprisingly left Rickie Lambert on the bench for last weekend's defeat, prompting fears the striker could leave St Mary's.

Stoke City have been linked with the 30-year-old, but Adkins says he will not listen to any offers for the player, who starred in the npower Championship last season.

"I am not aware of an enquiry and we wouldn't consider (selling him)," Adkins said.

"He is one of the main reasons why we have got back to the Barclays Premier League.

"We love the bones of him. He works very hard. It is my responsibility to pick the team, whether Ricky is in that team or coming off the bench to make an impact as he did against Manchester City."

Should Lambert continue to be benched, Adkins admits offers could come in for the player, however.

He said: "Rickie Lambert is a good football player. I'm sure anyone who sees him not in the starting XI will might wonder: 'what's happening there? We might show a bit of interest'. That's football."