Saints step up quest for striker

Saints boss Nigel Adkins is stepping up his quest for a striker as the club braces itself for the loss of young winger Alex Chamberlain.

Southampton have declared their interest in Bristol City forward Nicky Maynard. However, it won't be easy to lure the 24-year-old away from Ashton Gate. Leicester City, who beat Saints in the race to sign Neil Danns had a bid for Maynard rejected.

Also on Nigel Adkins' shopping list is Billy Sharp. The Doncaster scorer, who played under Adkins at Scunthorpe scored 16 goals last season despite missing large chunks through injury. Although the Yorkshire side are struggling financially, it may take a bid of up to £3 million to tempt Sharp to leave for the south coast. Coventry striker Lukas Jutkiewicz has also been linked with a move to his home-town club, but again will require a substantial fee.

Saints could do with some fire-power. Last season Rickie Lambert couldn't build on a remarkable 2009-10 season in which he bagged 37 goals in all competitions. Last year he managed 21 goals, but he will find it a lot tougher in the Championship.

David Connolly has extended his contract at St Mary's until the end of next season, but with Lee Barnard possibly facing a court case for assault, Lambert could do with a partner.

With winger Alex Chamberlain set to leave Southampton for Arsenal in the next few days, Nigel Adkins may have some money to spend with a big fee likely to be paid to Saints.

Gobern set to leave club

Young midfielder Oscar Gobern is set to leave St Mary's after turning down a new contact.

The 20-year-old left-sided player is believed to be on the verge of signing for Huddersfield - who Saints pipped to Championship promotion last season. The youngster has proven useful for Southampton, but has never managed to break into the first team.

Gobern is clearly seeking first team football, and a move to Huddersfield may solve this. The Saints would be owed a fee by the Yorkshire team, as Gobern is home-grown and under 24 years of age. The fee would be determined by an FA tribunal.

The midfielder made 21 starts for Saints, getting on the scoresheet in Southampton's FA Cup win against Cheltenham in 2010.

Next season's fixtures unveiled

Southampton's Championship campaign will kick-off on August 6 with a tricky home game against Leeds United.

The 46-game league season sees the return of two derby games against Portsmouth. The first takes place on December 17 at Fratton Park, with Pompey returning to St Mary's on April 7.

Saints are away on Boxing Day to Crystal Palace, but return home to face Bristol City on New Year's Eve.

Southampton face Coventry at home on the final day of the season on April 28. Click here for the full list.

First image of new Saints kit revealed

An image of the new Southampton kit was been leaked onto Twitter. The kit is a throwback to the 1970s and 1980s, worn by the likes of Kevin Keegan. Predominately red with a thick white stripe down the middle, the kit will be sponsored by AAP3 - a local IT company. The kit will once again be made by Umbro.

The full launch will take place on Wednesday 20th July 2011 with the kit going on sale in store from Thursday 21st July.

In other news, the Saints have been draws against Torquay in the first round of the Carling Cup at St Mary's.