Saints have yet to receive an approach from Burnley for Fraser Forster despite the Clarets seeking UEFA dispensation to register another goalkeeper ahead of their Europa League clash against Aberdeen tonight.

Burnley have been heavily linked with a loan move for the out of favour Saints stopper with Nick Pope having undergone an operation on his dislocated shoulder.

Manager Sean Dyche would not put a time frame on Pope's recovery but the England man looks to be facing a lengthy period out.

With Tom Heaton expected to be sidelined for the second leg of the second-round qualifying clash after picking up a calf problem, Burnley, who visit St Mary’s on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, could be left with Anders Lindegaard as their only available keeper.

Dyche could potentially look at signing another player ahead of the match but a more likely option would be to register their fourth keeper, Adam Legzdins, for the match.

A loan move for Forster would make sense for all parties.

Saints would be keen to move at least some of Forster’s wages off their payroll given that is currently third choice behind Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn.

For Forster the chance of a fresh start and the possibility to compete again for a first team place would surely be welcome.

A temporary deal would also suit Burnley to cover for Pope’s absence.

Pope suffered the injury in only the 13th minute of the first leg in Aberdeen and he has now gone under the knife.

Dyche said: "He's had the op. So far pleasing news in that the specialist was happy with what he found and what's been done. I haven't spoken to Popey yet today because he was still recovering but I'll speak to him later."

It is the second successive summer that Burnley have seen arguably their first-choice keeper dislocate a shoulder. Heaton was sidelined for more than six months after damaging his shoulder in the fourth match of last season against Crystal Palace.

Injury problems were the last thing Dyche needed as he battles to add to the squad that exceeded all expectations by finishing seventh in the Premier League last season.

The Clarets actually have a smaller squad having allowed Dean Marney and Scott Arfield to leave at the end of the last campaign, but Dyche is so far being priced out of the market.

He said: "It is broken record time. We're a wealthy club of sorts but equally the club's in a shape where it continues to look after not just year one, and that makes it tough, the books have to balance. The finance has to be there to do deals and it does limit the pool that you're looking in.

"The numbers are just crazy, and they're crazy for any player. It's certainly a sellers' market. We're into a few situations. We've had one come and go that we thought was a done deal; it wasn't.

"We've got another couple of deals that are pending and we think we've got a chance on but there's no guarantees. We're not a club that can make it guaranteed because we don't just add and add until it hits the number."