Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has insisted the £4m arrival of Charlie Austin from QPR will not open the door for Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long to leave St Mary's.
Austin is in line to make his Southampton debut at Manchester United on Saturday. The 26-year-old has not played since mid-December due to a hamstring injury but was back in training with QPR prior to his switch to the Saints.
Koeman says the former Swindon and Burnley forward, who scored 18 goals in the Barclays Premier League last season, is fit and ready to play at Old Trafford - but reiterated his desire to keep hold of Long, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle.
"We brought one player in but nobody will go out," he said. "I'll keep saying that until 31 January.
Koeman dismisses speculation over @ShaneLong7's future, reiterating that nobody is for sale in January. #saintsfc https://t.co/gfkA35Igqk
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 21, 2016
"I was a little worried because Charlie had a hamstring injury before we signed him, but he had all the medical tests and took part in all the training sessions this week.
"We had to test him to know he is available and on his fitness tests he is as good as the rest of the players. I wasn't expecting it so quickly but it's nice to be surprised. He will be in the squad this weekend."
Long has been linked with a January switch to Liverpool and Totenham after hitting a vein of good form on the south coast.
He scored twice in a blistering performance against Arsenal over Christmas but the arrival of Austin will intensify the battle for a starting spot, with Koeman backing his new man to force his way back into Roy Hodgson's England squad.
Long has been linked with a January switch to Liverpool and Totenham after hitting a vein of good form on the south coast.
"He's very hungry, he wants to play at the highest level," added the Dutchman. "He wants to develop, he's still only 26, and he'd like to get back in the national team.
"People come to Southampton knowing they can get involved in national teams - Jose Fonte and Graziano Pelle got in theirs aged 29.
"It's interesting for players to come to Southampton, they know they will improve and develop.
"We signed him because he has played and scored in the Premier League. He's at a fantastic age to make a new start and he gives us competition at the front of our team."
