By John May

Not all George Burley's transfer activity will be incoming

Quashie, 27, missed Saints goalless draw against Crystal Palace with a stomach bug, increasing speculation of a January transfer move.

Burley said: "I have been disappointed with some areas of the squad and a lot of changes have to be made.

"I have to build a squad that wants to work for each other."

Quashie followed Harry Redknapp to Southampton from Portsmouth in a �2.5m move last November and was a driving force in Saints unsuccessful battle to stay in the Premiership.

While the Scottish international committed himself to helping Saints bounce back to the top flight, he saw the likes of Peter Crouch, Kevin Phillips, and Antti Niemi move on to Premiership clubs.

Quashie has expressed his frustration at Saints lack of big-money investment, and that was increased with teenage sensation Theo Walcott's move to Arsenal.

Although Quashie has not asked for a move, his form has dipped recently, and he cut a forlorn figure as Burley asked him to play in a role wide on the left of midfield against Ipswich.

We need a squad that wants to work for each other Saints boss George Burley Southampton 0-0 Crystal Palace

With Burley conceding that Saints have little prospect of making the play-offs this season, Quashie's only hope of a quick return to the Premiership would be a move.

And with Burley making it clear he wants players who are committed to the cause for the long-term, Saints may decide to cash in on him.

Burley is armed with the proceeds of the �5m down payment for Walcott to strengthen his squad, but he hinted that the transfer action may not be solely incoming.

The Saints boss said: "I have to look at all the possibilities, both ins and outs. We need a squad that wants to work for each other.

"I have three or four balls in the air and I'm just waiting for one or two to land as soon as possible."

Burley has wasted little time in running the rule over his squad and has used just about every fit player in first-team contention.

Quashie saw other Saints stars leave after relegation

He said: "We have a big squad here but I've given everyone an opportunity to play so I don't think anyone can say they haven't had a chance.

"But we've still been found wanting," said Burley who has also admitted he was shocked by the size of the task of rebuilding a Saints squad that was shattered physically, mentally and morally by relegation.

Neither has Burley been shy in giving a chance to as many of Saints promising youngsters as possible.

The latest youngster to be given a chance was Andrew Surman, who made his Championship debut against Crystal Palace.

The 19-year-old returned from a loan spell at Bournemouth and impressed on the role on the left occupied by Quashie in the previous game.

Burley will face a testing time between now and the end of the season, when Saints have 13 players out of contract.

Although that will give Burley an easy opportunity to move some players on, the list also includes key men such as Matthew Oakley, Marian Pahars and Michael Svensson, who Burley would surely want to keep.

It has become something of a mantra for any manager new to a club to state how big his task is, and to explain how it will take time to put it right.

And Burley has been no exception, saying: "A lot of changes have to be made, it might take six months to a year so fans will just have to be patient.