Adkins warns clubs off Lambert

Rickie Lambert: Striker is attracting Premier League interest but Southampton do not want to sell

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins says the club would not welcome any interest in Rickie Lambert from Premier League teams in the January transfer window.

Lambert is the top scorer in the Championship with 15 goals this season and signed a new three-year contract at St Mary's back in the summer.

He has been linked with a New Year move to Newcastle after being signed for Saints two years ago during Magpies boss Alan Pardew's time at the helm.

However, Pardew's successor Adkins has no intention of selling the 29-year-old as Southampton push for a return to the Premier League.

Excellent

"Rickie has been excellent for us and if we keep creating chances he will score," said Adkins.

"I can understand why Premier League teams might be looking at our players but we would not welcome any interest.

"We have got a group of players here who are all under long-term contracts and they want to get this fantastic club back into the Premier League.

"We've got ourselves in a great position to achieve that and look forward to the second half of the season with confidence."