Saints sign Prutton

SOUTHAMPTON have made a beat-the-deadline bid to sign a new midfielder, with Nottingham Forest`s David Prutton the new acquisition, as Gordon Strachan hopes to build on an impressive showing in The Premiership this season.

Planetfootball.com were made aware that Strachan's chief target was Forest starlet Prutton, and the South Coast club put the finishing touches to the deal at lunchtime on Friday.

The England Under-21 international has caught the Scot's eye with some impressive performances for the City Ground club over the past couple of seasons, and cash-strapped Forest were in no position to reject a substantial bid of around £2.5 million.

Obviously, time is running out before the transfer window closes at midnight, but Strachan could pull off another capture on Friday.

Derby County are pondering an increased offer for defender Danny Higginbotham, and he could well join Prutton at St Mary`s on Friday. 

Manchester United provide the opposition in The Premiership at the weekend, but Prutton is unable to play in that prestigious fixture, after signing after the deadline.

Meanwhile, Southampton have cancelled the contract of goalkeeper Neil Moss by mutual consent.

Moss has fallen to fourth in the pecking order at St Mary's behind Antti Niemi, Paul Jones and Alan Blayney and Saints boss Gordon Strachan is willing to let him leave to find a new club.