Sunday Rumour Mill: Strachan summer targets, Ravanelli, Bridge

Manager Gordon Strachan reckons that he has the nucleus of a good Saints side and that only fine tuning will be required over the summer. Good news for Rupert Lowe's wallet, but of course he did say it before his team capitulated at home to Everton. Strachan said: "I reckon I need three players to make the squad a little stronger but overall I am very happy with what I have got.

"I have inherited some excellent players and for that I must thank the previous managers. They have left me with some quality and it is up to me to add to it.

"I am lucky with the quality of players that were left for me and I am grateful for that. I have a good squad and we look OK for next season. I tell you 15 years ago this Southampton side would be fifth or sixth in the table but standards are now so high that they are mid-table and it would cost a lot to get up to the level of the top clubs.

"To get better than James Beattie or Marian Pahars we would have to spend £15m or better than Rory Delap or Matt Oakley or Anders Svensson would be £7m or £8m.

"It is the same for the defence so it is a case of fine-tuning the squad. We are probably looking at two or three new players.

"And they will not be a threat to the ones who are here but coming in to help them either to give them a rest or to put pressure on them.

"For instance Brett Ormerod has really kept James Beattie and Marian Pahars on their toes. He is still struggling with his knee at times but he has done well. He just gets on with it which is typical of the attitude at this club.

"And that is the sort of player I am looking to attract. We want players to step up and who are hungry and want to improve and do well for Southampton."

It took a little longer than I thought, but we've finally been linked with Ravanelli. Such a positive influence that he doesn't even make Derby's bench for crunch relegation fixtures. Speaking of which, his unerring ability to join up with relegated teams alone means that he should be one to avoid.

Chelsea have been linked with Wayne Bridge, but there's not a quote in sight, so it's just paper talk. Add their name to the pile of clubs interested in England's best left back.

Former Saints target, Marcus Allback, of Hereenven, continues to be a target for Aston Villa as Stuart Gray tries to convince everyone that he's a good player. Sunderland are also supposedly in the running. As memory serves, Allback will be available in the summer for £2.5 million, thanks to a clause in his contract.

A more recent target, Rangers' Neil McCann, has insisted that he would rather remain in Scotland.