Fraser Forster's injury absence will not force Southampton into the market for a new goalkeeper.

The England international, 27, is sidelined with a knee injury until early next year but that does not necessarily mean the Saints will bring in a new gloveman on a lengthy contract just to ease the pain.

The south coast club's Head of Football Development, Les Reed, played down claims that the Saints were looking to sign a top-class keeper this summer.

Reed said on Sky Sports News HQ: "At the moment we're looking at Fraser Forster coming back in January next year but, in terms of strength and depth, we'd probably loan a keeper for the full season.

"We're confident Fraser will be back, so we don't want to buy a keeper who is going to be a bench keeper. It makes sense to do a loan or maybe get a young keeper who could help us in the future."