Southampton are going to have to do without in-form striker Charlie Austin for the next four months.

The Englishman is set to need surgery on a dislocated shoulder he sustained in the Saints’ 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be’er Sheva last week, a result which put them out of the Europa League.

Arguably though, the loss of Austin for up to four months is a larger disappointment for Southampton fans, who have watched the former Burnley and QPR man net six Premier League goals this season, and nine in all competitions.

However, Claude Puel’s side bounced back from their frustrating evening on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Sunday, thanks to a fantastic 25-yard strike from record signing Sofiane Boufal, a player we may see more of over the coming months deputising for Austin.

Jay Rodriguez also got a rare start at the weekend for Puel and, with Shane Long also on the books, the Frenchman may feel that he has enough firepower to compensate for Austin’s injury.

However, many feel that another forward is needed, so here are THREE that could replace Austin at St Mary’s…

Saido Berahino

It’s clear that Saido Berahino is struggling with life at West Brom, and it may be best for both parties if he were to leave in January.

There’s no doubting his quality in front of goal – he netted 20 times for the Baggies the season before last – but he may need a fresh start somewhere else to get him back to that level.

The 23-year-old was touted for an England cap during the 2014/15 season, and even made Roy Hodgson’s squad in November 2014 yet didn’t play, and many want to see him back at that level again.

However, that’s unlikely to happen at West Brom.

A move will do him good, and a club like Southampton could be the perfect place for Berahino to resurrect his career.

Callum Wilson

There are notable parallels in the careers of Austin and Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.

Both got valuable experience in non-league football, both scored goals in the Championship, and both have sustained several injuries, some of which serious.

Yet, both have come back with vengeance and been outstanding for their respective clubs.

24-year-old Wilson injured his knee in September of 2015, but returned to the Cherries side in April this year, and has since then netted five times for Eddie Howe’s men to sit top of their goal-scoring charts this season.

He may be not as prolific and proven at a high level like Austin, but the Englishman clearly has an eye for goal, and will likely be the key for Bournemouth this season.

He scores goals in a team that love to play attacking football, and could suit Southampton in place of Austin.

Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge has been linked with a move away from Anfield in recent weeks, such are his lack of first team opportunities in Jurgen Klopp’s team.

The England striker has started just four of their 15 Premier League games this season and has yet to net in any of them, but did remind everyone what can do with a brace in their 2-1 win over Tottenham in the League Cup back in October.

His match sharpness was also evident when on England duty, netting a fine header to help the Three Lions beat Scotland last month, but another injury setback means he remains on the sidelines at present.

A striker of his quality is not going to be happy on the bench at Liverpool, so it’s likely that he’ll move on at some stage in the near future – Southampton could be the destination for him.