A 'BONE TO PICK

Will sure to feature heavily for Saints

- PAUL O’HEHIR

WILL SMALLBONE has been assured he will be a big part of Southampton’s plans after snubbing Premier League interest. 

The Republic of Ireland international has signed a three-year contract extension with the Saints amid interest from Sheffield United.

Blades chiefs had identified the 23-year-old playmaker as a potential £7million recruit ahead of this weekend’s transfer window shutting.

And Southampton boss Russell Martin revealed there were other interested clubs circling for Smallbone.

But contract talks have been ongoing behind the scenes in recent weeks and accelerated when Smallbone was laid low with a slight ankle injury.

And the Ireland newcomer – set to be fit to face France and Netherlands – is now happy to commit his future to the club that he has been with since he was eight.

Smallbone spent last season on loan at Stoke City but made 18 first-team Saints appearances before that, either side of a cruciate injury in 2021.