Saints are once again linked with Coventry City striker Lukas Jutkiewicz

With the loan window closing on Thursday Saints are rumoured to be planning an approach for Coventry striker Lukas Jukiewicz, with David Connolly out for at least another fortnight with a groin strain and Lee Barnard only just back from a long injury, SAaints are obvioulsy concerned that if one of their strikers gets an injury then they could be left short up front and having got themselves to a prime place at the top of the league they dont want to get caught short.

Its understood that the loan move would be with a view to making the move permanent once the transfer window opens in January and could also include at least one player moving on loan in the other direction, although quite who that might be is unclear at present.

As has been reported at length on this site last summer Jutkiewicz is Southampton born and bred and was a member of the same academy year as Theo Walcott, although he was released as a 14 year old and has since played for a plethora of clubs both as a permanent signing as well as on loan, he has started this season well hitting six league goals including one against Saints a few weeks ago.

In truth the move makes perfect sense, Jutkiewicz being a old fashioned centre forward in the same mould as Rickie Lambert would make the ideal cover for the Saints leading scorer, whilst even with the current injuries Saints arent short on options up front, Lambert, Guly  De Ridder & Barnard are fit at present and can all play up front, as can Adam Lallana if the situation is desperate, but what we do lack is a genuine replacement for Lambert, who having played virtually every game and indeed every minute since his arrival from Bristol Rovers just over two years ago has been remarkably free of injuries so far.

However although Saints do have other striking options, none are in the mould of Lambert and for a team that play much of their game channelling through the big man in a certain style, thats a big hole to fill should Lambert be unavailable for whatever reason.

So Jutkiewicz makes good sense although Saints will have opposition with Middlesbrough also believed to be interested, however what could swing it apart from the fact that Saints have the ready cash and of course Jutkiewicz being locally born would have an attachement to the Club is the players that Saints might be able to offer the struggling Sky Blues on loan, Dan Harding is right out of the first team picture at present as is Ryan Dickson Lee Holmes and Danny Butterfield, with cover in theri positions, it could be that Coventry would be interested in one or possibly two of those four players.       

Photo: Action Images

ThermosNBlanket added 09:57 - Nov 22 Isn't Harding injured ???
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simmo400 added 10:09 - Nov 22 Saw him against us at Coventry. Didnt really show against Saints but then again who does ? As a loan signing maybe a good deal. At 2million would be a big gamble i think.
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bstokesaint added 13:09 - Nov 22 I totally agree we need somebody to cover upfront. We have Fox and Richardson firing a multiple of quality balls into the opposition box and we need someone to do the rest. SRL is good with his head, but we can't constantly rely on him. There will come a time when he will get an injury. It's inevitable.
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