MANAGER Russell Martin suggested two young Saints squad members could leave on loan in January if their playing situation has not changed.

Ronnie Edwards, 21, and Sam Amo-Ameyaw, 18, are yet to make a Premier League appearance this campaign after regular involvement in pre-season.

Both are seen as key players for Southampton's future but boss Martin is keen to trim the size of his squad in the January transfer window.

Edwards - who has over 100 EFL appearances already - and Amo-Ameyaw - yet to play regular men's football - could be given loan experiences.

"We're in constant conversation about it and I think it's something we'll assess closer to January as well," Martin told the Daily Echo. 

"People's situations can change so quickly. They can come in and play and change the whole dynamic of their short-term future here.

"We'll have a lot of options for loans. We've got a massive squad that needs to be trimmed whether some players leave permanently or some go out on loan.

"It's too big to try and keep everyone happy in our brilliant group and there's been no problem at all, but I think there'll be a few naturally that want to play.

"Ronnie and Nathan Wood were long-term signings for the club really and we maybe knew they wouldn't impact the team too quickly short-term.

"It's a big jump from League One to the Premier League but we have real belief Ronnie will make that jump," continued Martin.

"He just has three top-quality centre-halves playing in front of him. We'll assess his situation in January and if he's in the situation he's in right now...

"Then maybe it's best for him to go and play football for six months in the Championship and get that development in the same way Shea Charles is."

Amo-Ameyaw has played a big role in both pre-seasons under Martin but made just one Championship start and nine minutes in the Premier League.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw has been in five of 11 Premier League squads this seasonSam Amo-Ameyaw has been in five of 11 Premier League squads this season (Image: Stuart Martin)

Still a teenager, the former Tottenham Hotspur academy product was slated by Martin to be part of his senior squad this season as early as July.

"For Sam Amo, I think everyone develops at different rates. Sam is so talented. Tyler Dibling is so talented," Martin explained. 

"Physically they're very different and in the Premier League right now Tyler is really capable of imposing himself. Sam could in certain games for sure.

"But he's a very different profile to Tyler. It's also not normal for 18 year olds to be playing every week in the Premier League or even to be on the bench.

"For Sam, because he was involved so early with us last year so young, it feels different - but everyone's pathway and journey is different.

"He just has to be patient. He has to keep doing what he's doing to improve. He's trained so well and he has so much ability in certain moments. 

"We'll assess his situation in January and if we decide with him, his dad and his agent that it's best to go out and play on loan, then it is.

"If not, hopefully, it means he's impacted the squad and the team and it means he's staying here which is very good for us."