RICHARD Chaplow has extended his loan spell at Saints until the end of December.

The Preston midfielder moved to St Mary's at the end of September for an initial period of one month.

That deal officially expired after Tuesday night's 4-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge - a game which Chaplow started.

Saints manager Nigel Adkins revealed last week that they planned to extend the 25-year-old's stay, but had to complete the formalities of paperwork and so on.

That has now been sorted and Chaplow will remain with the club until the end of the year.

Having signed on an emergency loan, he is not allowed to stay on a temporary basis for any longer than that.

But Saints will have the option of trying to sort out a transfer deal for the player come January if they wish.