Andrew Surman could be sold to pay Southampton wages

Southampton could this week be forced to sell ex England Under-21 midfielder Andrew Surman this week just to meet the club's wage bill.

QPR are expected to head a queue of clubs willing to pay a cut-price £400,000 for the 22-year-old who has made 133 appearances for the Saints.

Administrator Mark Fry was unable to pay any of the club'staff their June salaries on Thursday after a takeover deal with the Matt Le Tissier-fronted Pinnacle Group broke down.

And while a group of Swiss investors are now considering a £15million bid for Saints, Fry is under pressure from two directions to complete a deal in the week.

While they remain unpaid, any member of Saints staff or players could call in the receivers to close the club down. And time is fast running out for Saints to convince the League that they have a new owner in place and the finances to compete in League One when the new season starts in August.

And there was a hint of desperation from Fry.

He said: "If towards the end of the week we are in a situation where no bids for the football club are forthcoming, then I will meet with the directors of the club to discuss options."

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