Armstrong transfer noise 'is normal' - Eckert

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has said he intends to keep defender James Bree at the club while hoping they can also hold on to top-scorer Adam Armstrong.

Armstrong has been linked with a move away this window, while Bree's Southampton future has been uncertain after returning from a loan spell at Charlton that was only scheduled through to January

Armstrong is the joint second-highest goalscorer in the Championship with 11 but has not found the target in any of his past nine league matches.

"There is a lot of noise and I think that is normal in every single window," Saints boss Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

"Adam Armstrong is a great player and we are doing everything at the moment to give him the final little bit of touch that every striker needs.

"The positive thing is he gets into some excellent positions, he is an excellent player."

Bree scored twice and registered three assists in 22 games under former Saints boss Nathan Jones before returning to Staplewood in the build-up to the South Coast derby.

He was thrust straight back into the starting line-up a Fratton Park for his first appearance for the club since May.

"I don't think you can send more of a message that you want the player than having him start in the derby in the most important game of the season," Eckert added.

"So I think that signal has been sent very clearly, obviously I can understand if the summer doesn't go as you expect as a player, that you might need a couple of days to readjust to the environment.

"I think the signals from our side have been very clear and he has responded excellent on the pitch."