With January fast approaching, now is the time that managers and chairmen up and down the land are locked in conversations trying to agree what they need in their squads to achieve their aims for the second half of the season.

That can involve who to sign – either for cash, free transfers or loans – and who to let go, either to free up some wages or because they suspect the offer they will get for a player will be too good to turn down.

Shortlists of potential targets will then be drawn up and tentative inquiries can begin as the new year looms.

Saints will be no different.

Nigel Adkins has already hinted that he will look to strengthen his squad in January ready for the final promotion push.

The Saints boss says he will be backed by Nicola Cortese and added that there is money to spend.

It is highly unlikely that we will see the kind of spending that Saints indulged in during last year’s January transfer window but it would be a surprise if a couple of carefully picked targets didn’t arrive.

See today's Daily Echo where we take the opportunity to assess each department of the Saints squad and assess whether Adkins will look to shake things up or leave them as they are as his team try to forge on and win League One.