Aberdeen FC were today linked with a January loan move for Southampton striker Sam Gallagher.

The 20-year-old has been recalled early to Saints from a loan spell at MK Dons.

Former England U19 international Gallagher was originally scheduled to stay at Championship MK Dons until the end of the season but has returned to St Marys due to lack of game time.

Saints are keen to put the highly rated striker out on loan again.

Gallagher played 20 times for Saints under Mauricio Pochettino in the 2013-14 season but has yet to force his way into Ronald Koeman’s first team.

The striker started in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League in January 2014.

Gallagher netted his first Premier League goal that season in a 4-2 win over Norwich and has faced top flight giants Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Last season he scored the winner for Southampton U21’s in a 2-1 Premier League Cup final victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Aberdeen have space for a loan attacker as Josh Parker recently returned to parent club Red Star Belgrade following a loan deal.

Premiership rivals Hearts, who the Dons face in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, are also reportedly tracking Gallagher.

An Aberdeen FC spokesman said: “We don’t comment on transfer speculation.”