JOS Hooiveld has revealed he considered leaving Saints during the last transfer window.

The 30-year-old Dutch defender has only managed eight appearances in all competitions for Saints so far this season.

Jose Fonte and Dejan Lovren have been the regular central defensive pair in the Premier League.

And when Lovren was recently sidelined through injury, Maya Yoshida was preferred by Mauricio Pochettino to partner Fonte.

“I considered leaving during the January transfer window but the manager told me it wasn't possible,” Hooiveld said.

“I will sit down at the table with him to discuss it once more during the summer.

“I'm in the squad for every game, but it will be very hard for me to get back into the starting 11 and I am hugely disappointed. “There are two other players ahead of me in the pecking order.”

Hooiveld, who is under contract at St Mary’s until the end of the 2014/15 campaign, has only made three Premier League appearances this season, compared to 25 last term.

He has not played in the league since the 3-2 home loss to Tottenham just before Christmas, when he conceded an own goal.