Southampton's Florin Gardos out for seven months with knee injury

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton defender Florin Gardos is set to miss the next "six to seven months" with a knee injury.

His absence, together with Toby Alderweireld's departure to Spurs, leaves boss Ronald Koeman looking for a new centre-back.

Gardos, 26, made 11 appearances for the Saints last season, after signing from Steaua Bucharest, but was set to be given his chance this time round.

Koeman said: "That's the priority, to bring in one or two centre-backs."

Alderweireld's decision to join Tottenham, rather than convert his loan from Atletico Madrid into a permanent move, has heightened Koeman's need to strengthen his options at centre-back.

The Dutchman said. "It's too small with Maya [Yoshida] and Jose [Fonte].

"OK, we have [Jack] Stephens, we have [Jordan] Turnbull, but they are young and still they have to improve themselves."

The Saints have already signed Jordy Clasie, Juanmi, Cuco Martina, Cedric Soares and Maarten Stekelenburg this summer.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.