SAINTS could face competition from other Premiership clubs if they are planning a swoop for one of England's top scorers.

Saints sent a scout to Huddersfield Town at the weekend to run the rule over the home side's 18-goal striker Jonathan Stead.

The 20-year-old is the joint top-scorer in the Third Division, though he failed to score in the 2-0 home victory over Boston - Huddersfield's fifth straight win.

Sunderland recently tabled an £800,000 bid for the Huddersfield-born player - who came up through the Terriers' youth system - but it was rejected out of hand.

Scouts from Newcastle and Fulham - the latter could be in the market for a striker following Louis Saha's move to Old Trafford - were also at The McAlpine Stadium last weekend to watch Stead.

West Ham, Preston, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest were also represented.

And Leicester City and Everton have also been monitoring the player's situation this season.

Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson said: "Jon is obviously a wanted man, but we want to keep him.

"The only offer we have had is from Sunderland.

"The transfer window is open, though, and whether he goes or not is out of my hands.

"But if he does go it will not be cheaply."

A source close to the club said any offer from Saints would need to be in the £1m bracket at least to temp their prize asset south.

Stead only scored six goals in 28 appearances plus 14 as a sub during Huddersfield's relegation last season, but has blossomed this term.

The only two players in the entire Nationwide League who have scored more goals this season than him are Cardiff's Welsh international striker Robert Earnshaw and Blackpool's Scott Taylor, who both have 23.