Southampton are just four points outside the top four but manager Ronald Koeman says it would still be a tough ask to finish there. Southampton are just four points outside the top four but manager Ronald Koeman says it would still be a tough ask to finish there.

Ronald Koeman insists he is not interested in signing Porto winger Juan Quintero, and says Southampton are unlikely to make any additions during the January transfer window.

The Saints have been linked with a January swoop for the 22-year-old, who is currently on loan at Ligue 1 side Rennes.

Quintero is also said to have attracted interest from Arsenal, but Koeman has ruled out making a move for the Colombia international and expects the club to be quiet in the transfer market during the New Year.

When asked over a potential move for Quintero, Koeman said: "We don't need midfielders, so no.

"I'm very happy with the players we have. I can't say it's 100 per cent because it's football, but it's unlikely that we'll have new players in January.

"It's an important line in your team, to have good ball possession. And I'm happy with the balance there in our squad.

"It's always the most difficult decision, who plays in midfield."

Koeman says he is not interested in signing midfielder Juan Quintero, who is currently on loan at Rennes from Porto

Ahead of Saturday's match with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Koeman heaped praise on left-back Ryan Bertrand after he was recalled to the England squad for the upcoming international friendlies with Spain and France.

The 26-year-old only returned to first-team action at the end of September having undergone double knee surgery in July.

"Maybe I was a little surprised after the time he was out of football," the Southampton manager added.

"And it was a fast goal for the player to make the national team, but it's a well-deserved goal because he's playing very, very well.

"In my opinion he's the best in the Premier League in that position."

Southampton will make the trip up to Wearside without influential midfielder Victor Wanyama, who will serve a one-match suspension after being sent-off in the 2-0 victory over Bournemouth last Sunday.

Shane Long will miss Southampton's trip to Sunderland

Koeman, who is still without Jay Rodriguez, had hoped to have Shane Long back in his squad following an ankle injury, but the forward suffered a minor reaction in training and will now miss the clash against the Black Cats.

In their absence, Southampton will aim to extend their best ever away run in the Premier League, as they chase a sixth straight league match without defeat on the road.

The Saints, however, have only won one in 12 away from St Mary's, a contrasting statistic Koeman hopes his side can quickly improve.

"If you don't lose away that gives everybody a good feeling," he said.

"The feeling to be unbeaten until now, it's a good feeling. But if you count points maybe it's better to lose one and to win one.

"It was a long time ago that we won away, against Chelsea, and it's not alwaysthe performance that we expect of the team in our away games.

"Maybe that confidence can change this weekend, because we need a win."