Could Southampton cancel Cornet's loan to free up slot for January?

The 28 year old winger joined Saints in a season-long loan deal on deadline day but has barely featured for his new side in the Premier League.

Between fitness issues and falling out of favour, Cornet has played just 70 minutes in the league and none since a half-time hooking in September. 

Cornet started the 3-1 defeat at AFC Bournemouth but was withdrawn in a ruthless triple change from boss Martin with Saints three goals down.

Martin admitted Cornet's playing time between now and January "will dictate for sure what happens" with his loan in the winter transfer window.

"I think it would just depend on what happens in the next month really, he's been injured but he's trained in the last couple of days," said the boss. 

Maxwel Cornet could be given a chance to impress before the January window (Image: Stuart Martin)

"I don't think he's quite ready to be in the squad but we'll assess it moving forward but he's coming to play so I don't think he'll be happy at not playing.

"Ideally, it would work out for everyone we sign that everyone plays and it looks good on them and on us and it's good for them and good for us.

"It doesn't always work out like that so we'll just have to wait and see I think, we'll assess it over the next three or four weeks.

"How much he plays in between that time will dictate I'm sure what happens in January so yeah we'll have to wait and see, we'll have to wait and see."

Premier League clubs are only allowed to loan in and register two players from other Premier League clubs at any one point in the season.

It means Cornet and Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu - neither of whom are regular starters for Martin - occupy the two valuable slots.

But it is not as simple as Saints deciding they want to send a player back once they have committed to a season-long signing.

As was the case with Everton defender Mason Holgate last season, both clubs and the player would have to agree to the early termination of a loan.

Mason Holgate departed Saints on deadline day in January 2024 (Image: Stuart Martin)

If Saints are covering all of or a portion of Cornet's wages, West Ham would be unlikely to accept termination unless they were covered financially in some way.

In the case of Holgate, Saints were able to terminate his loan from the Toffees after the Merseyside club agreed on a new deal with Sheffield United.

Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson set clubs across the top flight on high alert when it emerged he may be available on loan in January.

The Irishman is one example of talent that could become available with out-of-favour players usually keen to get minutes in the second half of the season.

For now, Cornet could be given a chance to win back his place in the Saints squad - who are the lowest scorers in the league with nine goals in 12 matches.

But if he fails to prove useful in Martin's system, it would be better for Saints to free up a loan slot and for Cornet to find a better-matched temporary home.