Southampton manager Russell Martin has spoken about the possibility of keeping Ryan Fraser at the club permanently.
Fraser is currently on loan at Saints from Newcastle United, having joined late in the summer transfer window, and has excelled in recent games.
The £42k-a-week star has become an impact sub for Saints, including scoring a last minute winner at Hull City over a week ago.
Martin speaks out on Scotland international
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin has expressed his desire to keep Fraser, but has said there is a lot of time for that to change.
“We want good players and we want good characters – Ryan definitely fits into that.
“The fact that he feels the way he feels after a short time here is really brilliant for us as a group of players and staff to show what we are trying to build here.
“People feel like they belong and they want to be a part of it. He is really enjoying himself, his energy has been brilliant over the last few weeks.
“He has been so good in training, he does everything properly whether that’s a passing drill or a warm-up.
“He’s a brilliant professional and he’s been really good for the group. The best thing he can do is carry on doing what he is doing. There will be so much that goes on between now and the end of the season.”
Should Fraser stay at Saints?
It would be great for Fraser to stay on permanently.
He has recently been described as a potential ‘difference-maker’ for Saints.
His performances in recent weeks have justified that, however you feel he needs to start starting games in order to secure a permanent deal at the club.
He is also on high wages at Newcastle, so that could also scupper any deal should his demands remain quite high.