LOWE: CHALA COULD PLAY AGAINST DERBY

SOUTHAMPTON chairman Rupert Lowe has revealed that the club are close to sealing the deal for Ecuadorian international midfielder Kleber Chala, with only a medical standing in the way of its completion.

The Saints have already signed up Agustin Delgado, Ecuador's prolific striker and Chala, the country's captain, will help him adjust to life in England.

Chala could even make his debut against Derby County on Saturday, although Delgado is now recovering from the knee operation he postponed to ensure Ecuador reached their first ever World Cup finals.

Lowe said: "He has flown in, agreed terms and we have received his work permit so we are now just awaiting the final clearance from his medical.

"He has negotiated most of that and there are just a few details left to iron out before he becomes a Southampton player.

"Assuming there are no complications with the rest of the medical, he should be registered in time to be available for the squad for the Derby match.

"Whether or not he is included though, will be down to the manager to decide.

"If there are two of them together who know one another well, it will hopefully speed the settling in process.  They are both very good players and will hopefully become major assets to our club."