Southampton supporters have been drowning their sorrows in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their team kick off 2018 with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Tuesday, thus extending their winless Premier League run to nine games.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s men last tasted success back on November 26 with a 4-1 hammering of Everton, but since then have managed just four points from a possible 27 to see them slip towards the relegation mire. And the Saints’ wretched run continued on Tuesday as Roy Hodgson’s Eagles came from behind as goals from James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic in the second half were enough to seal the three points, making Shane Long’s opener in the first half for the hosts redundant on another desperately poor evening at St Mary’s.

As such, there have been many downbeat and dispirited Southampton fans in the Tavern in recent times, many of whom are hoping their side are busy in the January transfer window, with it evident that much is needed in terms of incomings to move the club away from the bottom three.

However, reports recently detail a possible departure from the South Coast outfit this month, namely that of Sam McQueen, who has been linked with a move to Championship outfit Leeds United, as well as Brentford and Reading.

The 22-year-old has managed just five Premier League appearances for Pellegrino’s side this term and only one of those was a start, albeit it did come recently in their 0-0 draw away at Manchester United.

Nonetheless, the Englishman could well be on his way out of St Mary’s this month to link up with Thomas Christiansen’s Leeds, and were McQueen to indeed make the move to Elland Road, here are TWO other Saints stars who should follow him…

Josh Sims

20-year-old Josh Sims burst onto the scene back in November 2016 by setting up Charlie Austin within a few minutes of his debut commencing in their win over Everton, a game in which he put in a man-of-the-match performance.

The winger than added a further 12 appearances in all competitions for Claude Puel’s side last term but injury has wrecked his 2017/18 season, with Sims only returning last month in a Premier League 2 clash against Reading.

However, the best way for him to build his fitness back up is by playing matches, while the experience of a loan move at somewhere like Leeds would be invaluable in his development.

Put the two together, and a move to Elland Road should well take place this month.

Shane Long

Although striker Shane Long has started Southampton’s last three Premier League games, it’s unlikely that the 30-year-old will remain Pellegrino’s first-choice as the season wears on.

The Irishman ended his long scoring drought in midweek by netting in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, but with Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin at the club (albeit the latter out through injury), and the likelihood of further reinforcements this month, Long’s future appears uncertain.

So dropping down a division to a side seemingly in need of further forward options could be exactly what Long needs to re-discover his goal-scoring form – thus a move to Leeds should happen this month.