Rennes midfielder Fabrice Fernandes is expected to completed his drawn-out move to Southampton tomorrow and could go straight into the squad for Saturday's clash with Leeds.
The left-sided player, valued at £1.1million, has already passed a medical and agreed terms and has been training with his new team-mates all week but the deal was held up when Rennes insisted on bank guarantees.
However, the French side have now backed down over their demand, paving the way for the completion of the deal, providing officials at the French Football Federation can sign the relevant release form tomorrow.
Manager Gordon Strachan hinted he could pitch the 22-year-old winger straight into the action, provided he is registered before Friday's noon deadline.
"If it is done in time then he will be in the squad for Saturday," Strachan told the club's website, www.saintsfc.co.uk.