George Burley will make buying a centre half his top priority this week after watching Saints' defensive shortcomings cruelly exposed on the opening day of the season.

Saints were given a 4-1 thrashing by Crystal Palace at St Mary's and in truth gift wrapped the goals for their visitors.

It underlined the desperate need for more cover in the defence and Burley is hoping that will be brought in this week.

He said: "There's no doubt we are short in the centre of defence and we've been trying to manipulate things.

"We've made an offer for one English centre half that hasn't been successful and we're speaking to two clubs abroad.

"Darren Powell is suspended and Claus Lundekvam injured.

"Darren will be available for our next home game against Stoke and we've got to try and battle on and see what we can do to get bodies into the squad.

"It won't be before tonight's game (at Peterborough in the Carling Cup) but we'll be looking to try and do it before Saturday".

As for the game against Palace, Burley added: "We knew we're a wee bit short but the goals we conceded were horrendous.

"It was never a 4-1 game but the goals we gave away were shocking and that's what cost us.

"They took their opportunities but we gave them most of them".

Full story: See today's Daily Echo.