SAINTS great Matt Le Tissier believes the hardest job this summer will be getting rid of the players who are no longer needed.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is looking to add new faces to the Saints ranks - starting with Moussa Djenepo who is set to join for £14m when his work permit is approved - but due to the size of the squad, outgoings will be key.

Saints have a host of players out on loan and Le Tissier thinks it will be hard to find clubs willing to sign them permanently.

The former Saints star said: “I think the important thing in the window for me is that there are several players who are out on loan who don’t appear to have too much of a future at the club and are on a lot of money.

“It will be about freeing those wages up for the budget which is the biggest key for the manager if he can get rid of those players that he doesn’t feel will be involved with his squads.

“That will free up some money and maybe he can get three or four in as well.”

“But that’s the hardest job they have got. They might have to take a bit of a hit on their transfer fee just to get them off the wage bill.

“That’s where the manager will need support from above in terms of signing off on players who they are writing a few million quid off.

“It’s never an easy thing to do but sometimes you have to take a bit of short-term pain for a bit of long-term gain.

“And because of the size of the squad we have got, which is pretty sizable, he needs to get players out first.

“He can’t risk bringing in another three or four players and having an even bigger squad for next season because that’s not going to work and that’s not how he wants to work.”

Saints have already started their business with the deal for Djenepo.

The 20-year-old Mali international will add pace to the Saints attack when he completes a move from Belgian side Standard Liege.

Saints have been linked with a pool of players, also including Thomas Goininger whose vice-chairman at LASK Linz confirmed the club’s interest.

With Hasenhuttl now back at work following a short summer break there are sure to be more incomings and outgoings.

Le Tissier has highlighted the areas where he thinks a new addition would be welcome which includes the left-back role.

Ryan Bertrand has held that position down since he signed in 2015.

However, with Bertrand entering the final two years of his contract, and with Matt Targett as his understudy, Le Tissier expects the club to strengthen in that department.

“I think we need another forward. I think we need one or two centre-backs and probably I’d expect another left-back,” explained the Saints legend.

“I think in the last couple of seasons Ryan hasn’t been as dynamic as he was in the first seasons he was here.

“I think Matt [Targett] has struggled a little bit if I’m honest in that position. I am not sure whether he is a long-term replacement for Ryan in that left-back role.

“That might be a bit harsh on him because he might kick-on again because he is still young and still has improvement in him.”

Bertrand was captain until Hasenhuttl handed the armband to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The Saints midfielder has proved himself to be an exceptional leader who wears his heart on his sleeve.

But like Bertrand, he only has two years remaining on his contract.

However, Le Tissier believes the Danish international is someone Saints should be building the team around as he could be here for years to come.

Le Tissier added: “I think he got sent off twice this season, which for a captain isn’t particularly great.

“He has got to work on that side of his game because he can be a little bit rash, but it comes from the right place.

“His heart is in the right place because he only wants the best for the football club.

“I think if he curbs that side of things, then I think he will be a captain for many years to come at the football club.

“He has got that character that you see someone who cares passionately about what he is doing and how the team perform.

“I think he is one player who I would definitely be looking to keep and get on a long-term contract and keep him as the captain.”