Southampton have agreed a deal to sign Nurnberg's German midfielder Caspar Jander, 22. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.
Southampton and Republic of Ireland midfielder Will Smallbone, 25, is the subject of a £7.5m bid from Wrexham. (Alan Nixon - via subscription, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.
Image source, Rex FeaturesWelington was forced off in the first half against Stoke City
Will Still has confirmed defender Welington suffered a badly twisted ankle in Southampton's 2-1 home defeat against Stoke City.
Left wing-back Welington picked up the injury in the first half and after lengthy treatment was taken down the tunnel on a stretcher and replaced by Ryan Manning.
"Yes, it's not great," Southampton manager Will Still said when asked for a post-match update on the player.
"He's twisted it badly, it's his ankle and he's already had issues with that so it doesn't look hyper positive."
Welington's injury was an additional setback for Still on top of the result, his first defeat as Southampton manager.
"It's a frustrating one," he said. "We've gifted them two goals again.
"We need to stop playing that sort of short pass inside, because it's the ideal moment for the opposition to press and we've done it three times.
"We didn't get punished in the first half for doing it. Probably [they are habits the players have got into] but we just need to unlearn that.
"They [Stoke] have been incredibly efficient and we've probably lacked a bit of that cutting edge and efficiency in front of goal in both boxes probably."
Saints are away to Watford next Saturday.
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Southampton will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face Championship league leaders Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Saints have picked up four points from their opening two fixtures whilst the Potters will look to make it three wins on the bounce.
Southampton have won just one of their last six league games against Stoke City (D2 L3), scoring just two goals in total across that time.
Stoke City have won three of their last four away league games against Southampton (D1), keeping a clean sheet each time; they've never done so in five successive away league games against a side in the top four tiers before.
After beating Wrexham in their opening fixture at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton will be looking to claim successive home league victories for the first time since April 2024.
Stoke City have won each of their opening two league games, netting three goals in both wins; they last won three successive league games while scoring 3+ goals in each in February 2008.
Stoke City's Sorba Thomas is the only player to record three assists in the Championship so far this season. His two assists against Sheffield Wednesday last time out marked the first time he's managed multiple during a match in the Championship since September 2021.
Will Still: 'Transfer deals are moving'
Southampton manager Will Still said he is still trying to perfect his squad before the transfer window shuts.
"We're waiting, we're trying to unlock things and make things happen, but it is a fight at times," he told BBC Radio Solent.
Still said there are external barriers blocking the club's ability to both buy and sell.
"[For example,] national team coaches telling players that they need to be in first division clubs or top five leagues to get into contention in thinking about World Cups."
"There is activity within the club, it's just a complicated market."
Saints have been linked with Manchester City defender Issa Kabore, 24, who has had loan spells at the likes of Marseille and Benfica, as well as for Luton Town in the Premier League.
"We have spoken to him, I've had quite a few players from [Manchester] City over the past couple of years. I've always worked well with them, that is an option," Still said.
"We're just negotiating and trying to find a way for it to work for all parties, but Issa's a good player. He's got a few qualities, so it's ongoing."
Still said negotiations regarding the signing of 25-year-old Armenia international midfielder Eduard Spertsyan are going similarly slowly.
"People have got agendas and negotiating skills are difficult," he added.
Southampton will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they face the current Championship leaders Stoke City on Saturday.
Listen to more from Will Still and all things Saints on BBC Sounds.
Southampton have made a £12m bid for 24-year-old Republic of Ireland and Middlesbrough attacking midfielder Finn Azaz. (Daily Mail, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.
Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesRC Strasbourg, the club owned by Chelsea's BlueCo owners in France, have brought in academy defender Genesis Antwi to pitch their project.
Antwi played in Chelsea's Under-21's win over Manchester City on Monday but could move to Strasbourg on a permanent deal as they target a new right-back signing before deadline day.
Strasbourg also want an attacking option and have contacted representatives of Brighton winger Julio Ensico and Southampton's Sam Edozie.
