George Burley will step up his efforts to sign a new centre back after it was revealed that Claus Lundekvam will be out of action for six months.

Saints skipper Lundekvam went under the knife on Wednesday in a bid to try and fix the ankle problem he has struggled with since the end of last season when he suffered the injury against Southend.

He appeared to be on the road to recovery during pre-season, particularly after a 45-minute run-out against AFC Bournemouth, but broke down again.

Initially it was thought Lundekvam would miss somewhere between six weeks and three months, depending on the damage.

But the news was even worse than expected and the Norwegian centre back is now not expected back until February at the earliest.

That leaves Burley with new signing Wayne Thomas and loanee Alan Bennett, who hasn't played since the opening day loss to Crystal Palace, as his only fit centre backs as Darren Powell is struggling again with injury.

Burley is now scouring the loan market, which is still open to Championship clubs, for another central defender.

He said: "There is no doubt if we are looking to strengthen the defence and if we can bring in a loan player in the next few weeks it will be great.

"With Darren Powell not training at the moment it leaves us very short".

Full story: See today's Daily Echo.