Saints have no plans to delve into the transfer market to buy cover for injured duo Dejan Lovren and Gastón Ramírez, according to assistant boss Jesús Pérez.

Mauricio Pochettino’s right-hand man confirmed yesterday that both players would be missing for six to eight weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Pérez said the news has not changed the view from within the club that they do not need to make any signings this month, although he did admit they would keep an eye on the market in case any interesting opportunities presented themselves.

“I think that both injuries are not serious (enough) to think to replace the players,” said Pérez.

“Some situations can change. But at the moment it is not the idea to replace these two players.”

Given the club’s position in the league table, it is quite understandable that they would have no wish to rush into any late purchases in those areas.

Saints have no relegation concerns and have drifted far enough away from the European positions to make securing one of them an increasingly unrealistic prospect.

It is, therefore, perhaps entirely prudent for them to choose to save their money unless an opportunity that is too good to miss comes forward.

The absence of Lovren for an extended spell will certainly be viewed as the greater loss, with the centre-half having been a more integral part of the team this season than former record-signing Ramírez.

However, the £12m Uruguayan had begun to show signs of impressive form recently, meaning his injury has come at a particularly frustrating time.

“We are disappointed for that, because he was doing well, he was training very hard in the last few weeks, and he was in good form,” said Pérez.

“The situation when he got the injury was because he was strong in a one-v-one, he was very, very good, and he got a clear chance to score.

“It’s a shame for him and for us, obviously, because he is an important player.”

Both Lovren and Ramírez suffered their injuries within seconds of each other during last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

“They’ve confirmed serious injuries, both ankles,” said Pérez. “Probably they are ruled out for six to eight weeks.

“We are trying to accelerate their recovery, and the medical staff prepared different strategies to try to recover the players as soon as possible.

“But for some weeks both are out.”

Earlier this week, the Croatian FA had announced that Lovren was expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks, but the severity of the injury is greater than that.

Pérez said: “We expected a minor injury from Dejan Lovren and more serious for Gaston, but at the end they have similar injuries – damage of ligaments.

“But we hope to recover them as soon as possible.”