Southampton boss Nigel Adkins has a fight on his hands to keep teenage midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the clutches of the Premier League. Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all reportedly tracking the 17-year-old, who has scored four goals in 16 League One appearances this season and is being compared to a previous Saints star, Theo Walcott.

But Adkins is determined to keep hold of the player and assemble a squad which is capable of promotion.

"He's part of the club's future," Adkins said in The People.

"We have a lot of talented players and I can see why Premier League clubs might come knocking.

"But we are in a sound financial position and do not need to sell anyone. There have not been any bids and nor would they be welcome."