FORMER Arsenal man Martin Keown has claimed Saints could face their “toughest-ever season” and need a “big clear out” to approach it.

The St Mary’s side will be looking to instantly bounce back from the Championship after suffering relegation from the Premier League this campaign.

Their fate was sealed with Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham despite having two more games to play, having only won six times in the league all season.

Keown, who was a three-time Premier League winner with the Gunners, admitted his fears for Saints on BBC’s Final Score.

He said: “It has been a proud record for Southampton bringing players through the academy but it just isn't enough - they might need a big clear out.

"You look at teams that have come back from the Championship and they have a core. What is the core of this Southampton side? Is (James) Ward-Prowse going to stay?”

The Saints squad has inflated to over 30 senior players in size with a dozen barely playing a role in the fateful run-in.

Keown added: "It's going to be difficult. There are so many games in the Championship and it will be Southampton's toughest-ever season.

“They will need to bounce back quickly while the parachute payments are there."