Southampton vs West Bromwich(WBA) - Puel not planning to add to Southampton squad

Southampton manager Claude Puel has hinted that he is not planning to make any big signings during the January transfer window.

Saints have scored just 18 goals in 18 league games this term and with striker Charlie Austin still sidelined with a shoulder injury which has kept him out of the squad since the beginning of December, there were rumours that the club were going to look at strengthening their attacking options during January.

However, Puel is confident that he can improve the team at his disposal rather than adding to the squad.

He said: "It's always difficult to find a good solution in this period. I prefer to stay in a good concentration about my team, my players, to continue this work, to make progress and develop all the players.

"I want to say that I want to continue with these players, to develop them, to make good progress.

"The market of course is open perhaps for a good solution, a good opportunity, but I say it's always a difficult period to find a good solution.

"For me, if a player comes during the market it is a great player, superior to all the players in the squad. This I think is always difficult for the market window.

"I prefer to stay with the good concentration with my squad, to make good progress and to go up together. It's my philosophy.

"The window it's perhaps important to see something for all the team but it's always I think a dangerous market because often the players available in this period stay in difficulties with their club - injuries or they didn't play."

Southampton are hoping to get back to winning ways against West Brom at St Mary's on Saturday after their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday and Puel knows that it is going to be a tough challenge.

"We have to play two opponents, two games which are very important games - West Brom and then Everton (January 2)," he added.

"They are around the same place (in the table) as Southampton which will make it interesting to see how ambitious we are about this team.

"For the moment the first six teams are very great with important strong players, so it is a little difficult to play against them and after there are different possibilities playing against West Brom.

"They can come back very well and at the moment it is very important to keep our position in the table very well, to keep and strengthen our progress and after we will see if we can improve other things.

"The two next games will be very important."

Nathan Redmond is suspended, while Jordy Clasie (groin) and Matt Targett (hamstring) are also sidelined.

Meanwhile, West Brom winger James McClean has signed a new two-and-a-half year deal at the Baggies.

Albion have confirmed the 27-year-old has agreed an improved contract, which also includes an option for another year at The Hawthorns.

He joined the Baggies from Wigan in 2015 and boss Tony Pulis believes the Republic of Ireland international has been a bargain.

"For what we've paid and what the lad's been earning, he's been a terrific signing for us," he said.

"He's been a good lad and he's not been in the team lately but his attitude in training and around the place is great.

"He's scatty, but he's a good lad with it, he's not a bad lad. He's been knocking on my door a few times (to get in the team)."

McClean has made 58 appearances, scoring three times, for Albion since his switch from Wigan and he follows Ben Foster and Craig Gardner in signing new terms this season.

Albion go to Southampton on Saturday before hosting Hull on Monday although McClean has not started for the team in their last six games.

Meanwhile, boss Pulis could rotate his side with two games in 48 hours and Jonny Evans is nursing a minor thigh problem following Boxing Day's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Pulis added: "We'll look at one or two and if they have niggles and are struggling we won't take chances and leave them for Hull," he said.