Five potential keeper captures for Saints to replace Fraser Forster

Southampton are 8/1 for a top four finish with Coral, but the south coast club’s hopes of securing Champions League football have been dealt a severe blow since top stopper Fraser Forster’s injury.

There are just eight games to go in this campaign but Forster, who has helped the Saints shore up their backline with aplomb, could be sidelined for around eight months following surgery for a fractured kneecap.

The highly-rated keeper has now begun his rehabilitation but is still some way off a return, according to coach Ronald Koeman, who told press: “It’s Fraser’s first step to be back in the team and to have the talks with the rest of the players is positive. If you stay at home you feel out of that.

“Now he’s back and doing some exercises. Okay, he can’t do a lot and we know he will be a while but he is back to the training centre and back related to the club. That’s positive and gives good energy to the player.”

Kelvin Davis, 38, bravely stepped into the breach against Burnley, but cannot be considered a long-term choice, while on-loan Artur Boruc’s contract expires this summer. So, it looks as though Saints will have to dig deep in search of a replacement rearguard custodian.

Here’s who we think could protect the St Mary’s posts in Forster’s absence:

Jack Butland (Stoke City)
Bristol-born Butland cannot be kept confined to Stoke’s bench forever, only allowed to stretch his legs in cup competitions, and may be forced to leave the Potters to fulfil his potential. With Asmir Begovic believed to be on the brink of penning a new deal at the Britannia, the time could be right for Saints to steal in and snap up the 21-year-old.

Drafting in Butland would be a bold move by Dutch mastermind Koeman, however, and could threaten Forster’s future at the club.

Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
Dutch spot kick hero Krul could also be an option for Koeman, as uncertainty surrounds current club Newcastle, although Southampton are actually said to be interested in snaring Tyneside teenage sensation Freddie Woodman instead.