Rasiak joined Premiership side Bolton, while Skacel signed up with Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin.

Both will miss Saints' promotion push, leaving the club's chances of making the play-offs in the balance.

But Hoos insisted: "We have to balance things on the pitch with the financial reality of the business."

Interview: Southampton chief executive Lee Hoos

He added: "We got considerable loan fees for both players, especially off Bolton."