RUSSELL Martin has outlined the reason Saints have decided to sign Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser on loan.

The 29 year old is set to complete his loan switch to the south coast from the Championship League side this week.

Fraser, who joined Newcastle in 2020, only managed 311 minutes in the Premier League last season having been frozen out by manager Eddie Howe.

Speaking ahead of his side's home fixture against QPR this weekend, Martin revealed why the club have pursued his former international teammate amid uncertain future surrounding their attackers.

The 29-time Scotland international said: “Having known him myself at Scotland I know that he is a very good player.

"(He will add) competition for places and a bit of experience with nearly 200 Premier League games and having got promoted out of this division before.

“He’s someone I know well having played against him and also with him for Scotland. He will bring a lot on the pitch but also with his mentality.

"He wants to win, (he has) aggression in training.

“He’s desperate to prove a point. He’s had quite a while without football now and he comes here desperate to play games and to prove to people that there’s a lot of football left in him.

“He possesses a lot of talent. He plays a position where there has been a lot of noise in recent weeks.

"He adds (to our depth), but we also prepare ourselves in case we lose any players."

Fraser was sent to train with Newcastle's under-21 side last season after a disagreement with manager Howe.

That came after he previously rejected a short-term contract extension whilst at Bournemouth - playing under Howe - at the end of the Covid-delayed 2019-20 Premier League season.

Despite the well-publicised fallouts, Martin isn't worried about Frasers' attitude.

“I’m really fortunate that I know him," he continued. "If I thought the character was questionable at any point, then he just wouldn’t be here.

“I’ve said before that no matter how much talent you possess it’s all about your character and how you’re adding to the group.

"He will be totally fine fitting in with this group. He has an edge because he wants to win, I think it’s something that we really need in this group.

“He’s a good lad, I spoke to Eddie at length about him, and despite what’s gone on there (Newcastle) and at Bournemouth, Eddie spoke really highly about him.

“He’s someone we identified early on as a very good player. He’s had interest from most teams in this division to be honest, especially from clubs that want to be up and fighting for promotion.

“I only see it as a good signing. We have some really talented young wingers and he comes with some experience and age which I think will help us."