Saints look set to splash out on a central defender.

If newspaper reports in the North are correct Saints look set to sign Burnley Central defender Wayne Thomas.

The fee is reported to be in the region of £1.2 million pounds, significant outlay for Saints in their current position, that is unless they sell Kenwynne Jones to Derby for £5 million plus.

A look at Thomas's profile isnt heartening reading to Saints supporters though, for a start he is only 5ft 11, not massive for a player in his position. NB most football database's give this as his height although Burnley's official site lists him as 6ft 2, which would be a lot better. 

Secondly he isnt exactly a spring chicken, at 28 he isnt one for the future, and has spent his career in the lower leagues, starting at Torquay and then progressing to Stoke City where he made about 200 appearances in five seasons before signing for Burnley on a Bosman free transfer two years ago.

Since arriving at Turf Moor he has had a mixed time suffering two serious injuries as well as a loss of form that prompted his removal as Captain of the side.

The fact that Saints are willing to splash out such a large amount for Thomas is strange in that Iain Dowie had a £200 k bid for the player turned down as recently as July, which suggests that if Saints do pay the amount quoted itsa case of desperation stakes.   

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