There is a chance that Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster might still sign a new contract at St Mary’s, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

The Lowdown: Healthy competition

It had previously been reported that Saints number one Alex McCarthy is close to agreeing a new deal on the south coast.

That may have suggested that Forster could be shown the door, especially considering that he is out of contract at the end of the current season, making him a free agent to any potential suitors who might be interested.

However, with McCarthy being ruled out of action since December after sustaining a serious thigh injury, the 34-year-old has been chosen to step in by Ralph Hasenhuttl and has impressed between the sticks since coming back into the team. That could duly benefit him when it comes to the hierarchy deciding whether or not to offer him a new deal in the summer.

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The Latest: Forster extension a possibility

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Barclay suggested that Forster’s superb form could persuade Southampton to hand him a contract extension rather than allowing him to leave.

The journalist said: “I think, from Southampton’s point of view, they would prefer to have a younger keeper developing behind one of the older keepers. But, Fraser Forster is playing so well, that I don’t think it can be ruled out still, that they won’t extend his deal as well. And maybe be in a similar situation as they are now.

“I think there’s still the possibility, and if he shows the kind of form that he’s been showing until the end of the season, and the terms are right for Southampton, he might put himself in a position where it can still happen.”

The Verdict: Bags of experience

Despite his age, the 6 foot 7 shot-stopper has delivered some colossal performances since joining Southampton in a £10m move from Celtic back in 2014, keeping a total of 55 clean sheets in 161 appearances across all competitions for the Saints.

Forster, who was once described as an “outstanding” goalkeeper by former Hoops stopper Rob Douglas, even earned another call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad in March, having already won six caps for the Three Lions during his career.

Looking to the future, whether the Hexham native extends his stay with the Saints or not will likely depend on whether Hasenhuttl is happy to continue relying on experience in goal or if he’d rather move him on and replace him with someone a bit younger.

Performances like the one against Arsenal at Easter would indicate that keeping him around for another while would be the sensible option.

In other news… this Southampton star has been backed to finish his career with the Saints