Ronald Koeman has admitted it will be hard to keep hold of Nathaniel Clyne this summer, but he remains optimistic.

Ronald Koeman speaking ahead of Saints trip to the Midlands to face Stoke City admits it will be hard to keep hold of certain players if the club do not qualify for the Champions League

Nathaniel Clyne is expected to return to the team to face the Potters and although the right back is still in talks with the club about a new contract Koeman although optimistic knows it will be a tough task to persuade him to stay and that an answer by the start of may although preferable might not be logistical.

“Maybe that (The Champions league) can be an influence in his final decision but I think always players need to have aspiration,”

“We hope one day we will compare to the big ones but that’s difficult and we know our level, we know our possibilities and still the club can’t fight against big teams in the Premier League because the money and the possibilities of them are still much higher than we have.”

He added: “We don’t wait til the end of the season because you know if there is a player who is left one season of his contract then you have to do something.

“Of course we have to do everything to keep the player in the team but I like to know it as soon as possible.”

Photo: Action Images

REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 16:51 - Apr 16 If he won't sign a new deal then we'll have to sell. Could get £20m if City try to rival United for his signature. Its pretty certain that we won't get Champions League this year so Clyne won't sign. Schneiderlin will be off too but I'm sure the club will have several top class replacements lined up so nothing to worry about. We'll continue on the up.
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