MANAGER Ivan Juric hopes Saints can sign players that will improve the level of his squad in a bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Croatian claimed his first win as Southampton manager on Sunday, beating Championship side Swansea 3-0 to progress in the FA Cup.

Kamaldeen Sulemana opened the scoring at St Mary's before Tyler Dibling rubber-stamped progression to the fourth round with his first Saints brace.

Juric confessed he wants to keep Kamaldeen, despite some outlets linking him with a move away, following his exploits against the Swans.

Sky Sports have reported that the Ghana international and Kyle Walker-Peters, whom Juric also admitted he wants to keep, could depart the club this month.

Former Roma boss Juric has explained that Saints need to trim their bloated squad but insisted they must to retain their "good players".

Asked if he feels Southampton need to strengthen the squad this month, Juric said: "I hope so. I think we need some players in some positions.

"We will see in these 20 days what will happen. My idea is that we need some players who can improve the level of the squad a little bit.

"For me, all the good players have to stay here and if it's possible to bring another to be more competitive."

German defender Armel Bella-Kotchap was not named in the squad against Swansea despite recently being named on the bench against Crystal Palace and Brentford.

Maxwel Cornet also remains at the club on loan from West Ham. Saints would need to reach an agreement with the Hammers before the Ivory Coast international returned to London.