SOUTHAMPTON chair-man Rupert Lowe has hinted the club could bring in a replacement for manager Gordon Strachan before the end of the season if they find the right man.

Lowe said he had been swamped with telephone calls since Strachan announced he would stand down at the end of the season.

Lowe admitted: "None of us knows exactly what is going to happen in the future.

"Right now, Gordon is committed to seeing out his contract.

"But there may be situations which mean a change is necessary and there may be situations that mean one isn't.

"Would we look to appoint someone quickly if we identified a new manager? That is a matter for our board."

Saints' form has taken a nosedive since a 3-0 win over local rivals Portsmouth took them into fourth place in the Premiership.

But the club insist an FA Cup exit and three defeats in four Premiership matches has nothing to do with Strachan's decision.

Strachan said after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Birmingham: "We've lost four out of five games and it does concern me.

"It is me that has to sort this out - and it will be sorted out."

Strachan again insisted his decision to quit was made two-and-a-half years ago.

The Saints boss said: "I've been working non-stop for 31 years and there are other things I would like to do. I just wish other people would accept that."

On Saturday, Brett Ormerod fired Southampton ahead on six minutes, but Birmingham levelled through a Fitz Hall own-goal 10 minutes later.

It was Saints old boy Jeff Kenna who struck in the 67th minute to clinch a third successive home win for Birmingham.

David Prutton was sent off for Saints on 70 minutes for elbowing Kenna.