Marcus Hall has moved to Stoke City on a permanent free transfer only a few months after joining Saints.

The left back has been unable to dislodge Wayne Bridge in the Saints first team and Gordon Strachan kept a promise he made to him and let the former Coventry man go.

The Saints boss said: "I felt we needed cover in that position last summer - and we still do.

Marcus was ideal because of his experience and his ability and he needed a club.

"But he has three children and another on the way and he could not afford to move down here on a short-term contract.

"We gave him a steady deal but I said if it felt it was hard work travelling up and down and he could get something closer to home then I would promise to look into it.

Strachan added: "I gave him my word so I could not go back on it - he has gone on a permanent free transfer and I will look to see if we need more cover."