Southampton manager Claude Puel is backing Shane Long to shoulder more responsibility up front with Charlie Austin facing up to four months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
Austin was substituted during the first half of Saints' 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Europa League on Thursday and is not expected to feature again until at least March.
Sofiane Boufal, the club's £21m record summer signing, was on target as Saints beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday.
Long has yet to find the net this season for the Premier League club, and was introduced with just five minutes remaining at the weekend.
The Republic of Ireland international has started just half of his 18 appearances for Southampton this season, and is yet to complete 90 minutes. His solitary goal this season has come in Irish colours.
Puel says he does not intend to panic buy in the January transfer window to replace Austin and will allow other players an opportunity to show what they can do.
Jay Rodriguez started against Boro and the Frenchman expects the pair to show their worth in Austin’s absence.
"Charlie will have to make surgery on his shoulder and normally would be between three or four months out, but now it is important to look forwards and to give the possibilities to other players, like Shane or Jay," Puel said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
"It is important now that they can take the responsibility, it is a good opportunity for other players.
"I think it is important for the moment to stay with a good concentration on our game until the end of the year, after we will see what will come in January.
"A (transfer) market is a market - and we don't know what can happen.
"It's important to consider my squad and to make progress with all these experienced players and young players.
"We will see with calm in January.
"I think it's not time to speak about these possibilities."
Long’s season was interrupted by a hamstring injury suffered against Inter Milan in the Europa League in October which kept him out of action for the best part of a month, including Ireland's 1-0 win over Austria in the World Cup qualification programme.
Puel's men currently sit 10th in the Premier League as they prepare for Wednesday's trip to Stoke and now face a crucial month with matches ahead against sides around them in the table.
Meanwhile Long’s international colleague Jon Walters could return for the game after missing the Arsenal defeat with thigh trouble.
