IF Kenwyne Jones' timing in the penalty area was as bad as his timing in submitting a transfer request, then Derby wouldn't want to pay £5 for him, let alone a possible £5m.

It is hard to have any sympathy with the striker for taking the actions he has on the eve of an important game for his colleagues.

If he wants away, why didn't he hand his request in last Monday? Or Tuesday? Why wait until 24 hours before a match?

What does this selfish action tell you about the player?

It tells you Jones believes the hype surrounding Derby's interest in him.

To think Derby are prepared to pay as much as £5m for Jones - only £1m less than Saints sold James Beattie, with all his Premiership pedigree, to Everton in January 2005 It's a sure sign, if one were needed, that the Premiership clubs have too much money to spend and as a result are willing to splash crazy money on someone with hardly any top flight experience.

Bizarrely for Saints, many fans are hoping the player is sold and that the money can be quickly given to George Burley to spend before the transfer window closes on August 31 (though the window for loan signings remains open for a while longer).

Normally, supporters are critical of Saints selling players - remember the backlash against Rupert Lowe when Wayne Bridge was sold - and for the sums they have received as a result.

But in this instance, sections of the St Mary's faithful will be glad to see Jones go - providing most of his fee is given to the manager.

There is no reason why that should not be the case. Saints' executive directors recently said there was no need to sell Jones because they didn't need the cash.

Fine. But George Burley does need it because, as he has repeatedly said, Saints are in a rebuilding' situation.

Rebuilding' situations don't usually end with promotion a few months later. They take a little longer.

But the longer Saints remain stagnant in the Championship with their best players queuing up to either be sold or to be asked to be sold, then the harder it will be for George Burley and his successors to lead the club back to the Premiership jackpot.