Five Southampton Players Who Could Leave On Loan In January

The Premier League’s bottom club have already sanctioned a loan departure for summer signing Ronnie Edwards, who has joined Championship side QPR.

The 21 year old defender is not the only Southampton player who would benefit from a loan away from St Mary’s. We have picked out four more…

Ben Brereton Diaz

Summer signing Ben Brereton Diaz finds himself in the same unwanted position as he was in last winter.

The Chile international joined then-Premier League side Sheffield United on loan last January after a difficult start to life at Spanish club Villareal.

Brereton Diaz has endured a similarly difficult start to his Southampton career and now finds himself regularly unnamed in the matchday squad.

Still only 25, another mid-season loan could correct the course of Brereton Diaz’s career, which is far from dead.

Gavin Bazunu

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been ruled out since April having suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon ahead of Southampton’s Championship fixture against Preston.

The Ireland international is back in training and was pictured alongside his fellow goalkeepers on Christmas Day.

Bazunu is not currently registered in Southampton’s Premier League squad and with Aaron Ramsdale the firm number-one, regular minutes will be important for the 22 year old.

The former Manchester City youngster is currently best placed to start should Southampton get relegated to the Championship.

Spending the second half of the season away on loan will keep him sharp ahead of a return between the sticks at St Mary’s.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw 

Teenager Sam Amo-Ameyaw is halfway through his first season as a full-time senior player but has only made four appearances so far this campaign.

The 18 year old has managed to open his account in that time. He scored in Southampton’s 5-3 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City.

It remains to be seen where Amo-Ameyaw fits in Juric’s plans. He has not been named in any of the three squads since his appointment.

Unlike fellow youngster Tyler Dibling, Amo-Ameyaw is not viewed as physically ready to play in the Premier League.

Dropping down a division or two will be best in the short-term to boost his chances of fulfilling his potential in red and white.

Will Smallbone

Ireland international Will Smallbone has suffered with injuries ever since sustaining a hamstring problem while away with his country last year.

Smallbone has only made four appearances for Saints this season, the last of which came against Leicester City in October.

His substitute appearance against the Foxes marked his return from injury, however, he sustained another hamstring issue in the game after playing through the pain barrier.

The academy graduate has been pictured back in training but his availability for selection is currently unclear.

Former boss Martin hoped to have him back around Christmas but Juric is yet to include the 24 year old in his squads.

Should he not gain an opportunity under the Croatian coach, a loan would be best suited for Smallbone to avoid missing the majority of the campaign.