He is unlikely to get into the starting eleven when all the players are fit, but he is a player that Burley knows well having signed him twic ebefore at Ipswich for £1.4m and on loan at Derby. He is also unlikely to challenge Gareth Bale in the scoring stakes having amassed a meagre total of 8 league goals in 346 starts, plus 8 as sub during spells among the likes of Reading, Derby, Sunderland and Marseille.
Saints are also offering the additional security of a two year contract to the 33 year old above Reading's one year deal.
This puts pay to the hopes of Finnish trialist left back Tuomas Kansikas, although Burley will need to decide whether Makin provides also sufficient cover at centre back or whether there is a place in the squad for experienced French trialist Martin Djetou.
With three centre backs out injured, it is debatable whether Saints need another central defender as Makin and Cranie can cover the position in the meantime without adding unnecessary numbers to the squad.