SAINTS interim boss Simon Rusk refused to be drawn into talk of transfer rumours, including new reports of interest in Aaron Ramsdale.

Reports elsewhere claimed Ramsdale, 26, will hunt for a move back to the Premier League this summer and is available for £20million.

They added that defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis wants to join the goalkeeper in returning to the top flight now despite relegation.

Several Saints players are expected to be sold this summer to make up for the massive drop in revenue after entering the second tier. 

However, Rusk, who has been tasked with overseeing the club's final seven games of the season, shut down any talk of transfers.

Speaking ahead of Aston Villa, he said: "I don't see that as part of my remit. My focus is on preparing the team as well as I can, making sure we're at it.

"We're engaged and the staff will know what we're doing, and then all of those things will come from somewhere else."

Asked directly if Ramsdale will be available for sale or distracted by his future, Rusk said: "I have no idea. Rambo trained brilliantly this week."

Aaron Ramsdale could depart Saints just 12 months after signing a three-year dealAaron Ramsdale could depart Saints just 12 months after signing a four-year deal (Image: PA) The follow up posed the question whether Rusk was worried about any players in the Saints squad will be distracted by their futures: "No."

'Not at all?', he was probed: "No."

Rusk's sole focus is on finishing the season as strong as possible, with four home matches and three away trips to come before the end.

Saints have lost 25 of their 31 Premier League games this season (W2 D4), the joint-most league defeats in a single campaign in their history.

Saints take on Aston Villa on Saturday, knowing a win will take them well past the record-low 11-points total set by Derby County in 2007/08.

The St Mary's side are currently on 10 after their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last week, and Rusk believes the table will take care of itself.

He said: "What defines us is how we go after it, if we are training well every day, are committed, motivated in the right ways and trying our best.

"I believe the byproduct of that will be that we'll get the points that we need to bypass that. There's no hiding that we want to get past that points tally.

"But for me, it's about making sure we're doing everything right and I believe if we do that and do it well, that we will take care of that."