BURNLEY boss Vincent Kompany says he will “prepare for every scenario” when quizzed on the possibility of Nathan Tella being recalled by Saints in January.

Tella is currently enjoying a fine season out on loan at the Clarets, helping them sit top of the Championship.

He took his tally of goals for the Lancashire club to eight when netting in a 3-0 win over Birmingham City on Tuesday evening, on his 22nd appearance.

But with Saints now sitting just one place above Burnley in the English football pyramid, rock bottom of the Premier League, talk has turned to Tella potentially returning to the south coast when the transfer window reopens next week.

Asked if Tella will remain at Burnley for the second half of the season, Kompany told Lancs Live: “I love having players with a smile on his face and he is one of them so we will see.

"What I look for, and what I like as a coach, is that you want to work with players who want to improve. It is as simple as that. We are really lucky with the group we have. He is one of them and is one of the driving forces of that. He got a great goal again and I am sure he will score more this season."

Pushed further on the possibility of Saints recalling the 23-year-old, Kompany added: “I think you enter these deals with an understanding of what has been agreed, we know what has been agreed and a deal is a deal.

“There is no reason to look back, we carry on and prepare for every scenario.

"I am happy with players who want to improve, score goals and play with a smile on their face and he is one of them and so of course we are happy to have him."