Could this loanee be the answer to Saints’ Austin woes?

Southampton are set for a troublesome time after it was confirmed that top goalscorer Charlie Austin would miss three or four months having picked up a shoulder injury in their Europa League group stage draw with Harpoel Be’er Sheva almost a week ago.

The Saints have been lacking up top this term and have relied heavily on the former Queens Park Rangers man for their goals.

Without him in the side, manager Claude Puel will have to turn to an out-of-sorts Shane Long or Jay Rodriguez, who is still a long way from the striker he was before picking up his long-term injury.

Whilst, on their day, those two forwards can be potent goalscorers, for many Saints fans it is not enough, meaning the former Nice manager will need to act.

Whilst moving for a striker in the January window is undoubtedly an option, it can be a risky move. Unless you are fortunate enough to land a proven, professional and top class Premier League striker in the winter window, then it really is a gamble.

With that considered, should Puel be looking a little closer to home?

Down in the Championship, on-loan Saints striker Sam Gallagher is enjoying somewhat of a purple patch in his career with Blackburn Rovers. The 21-year-old, who even broke into the Southampton first team for a time under Mauricio Pochettino, has bagged nine goals in 20 league games so far this term, more than any other Rovers player, and picked up two assist along the way.

Gallagher has first team experience at Saints. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The striker added to his tally on Tuesday night, bagging a brace in a 3-2 defeat to Brighton, take a look at the goals below:

Whilst the Championship is a highly competitive, physical and demanding league, the step up to the Premier League is astronomical.

That considered, Gallagher may not replicate such form in the long term back at his parent club, however, Puel needs a quick fix, and the loanee is certainly more confident in-front of goal than either Long or Rodriguez right now, and a damn sight cheaper than a knee-jerk January flop.

Something to consider, Saints fans.