GEORGE BURLEY has been quick to back Gareth Bale as the race for his signature intensified yesterday.

The Saints boss hailed his 17-year-old starlet's attitude and commitment in the face of frenzied talk of a big-money move to Manchester United.

And, although United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated he doesn't believe Bale is worth the £8m already on the table - a bid rejected by Saints last week - Burley points to his "fantastic" potential and ever-growing maturity to counter that argument.

Ferguson has warned Saints he won't be prepared to up his offer and would be happy to wait until the summer to land his man at a more realistic price.

A potential FA Cup fourth round tie at Manchester City on January 29 would provide Ferguson with an ideal chance to see Bale in action again before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

He said: "We're still working on them deals for Bale and Owen Hargreaves but don't hold your breath. I much prefer newcomers to have the benefit of pre-season training."

If any United deal was to go through this month, Bale would stay at Saints - on loan - until the summer at the earliest.

And Burley remains happy with that situation - and how the player himself is coping with all the speculation.

He said: "Gareth's still maturing. Everybody's different but the first couple of months he was finding his feet and now he's getting used to things.

"He's matured a lot. He knows he's still learning but he listens and he takes things in, which is great.

"Gareth's not the finished article but he has got fantastic potential. It is doing the boy good playing regularly and his parents are happy because he's listening.

"They can see how fast he's improved."

"There's no doubt all the talk affected him for a few days last week but he seems fine now and is totally focused on trying to get the club promoted this season."