Rumour Mill: taxi for...

We haven't got Brett Ormerod
After nearly joining Wigan in the summer, Brett has finally got his move back up north, thanks to a free transfer to Preston North End. Strange that we were not able to get a fee for him given he is only 29, but clearly both player and manager were keen for him to move on and he is another off the wage bill. A cult hero among Saints fans, if only for his FA Cup semi-final goal against Watford, as well as his high work rate, but he has been very poor in front of goal this season and probably needs a move to rebuild his confidence.

That takes the Griffit
It all started so well for Frenchman Griffit, scoring within minutes of his debut under Gordan Strachan. However, despite the managerial merry go-round at Saints he has failed to impress with rumours of an attitude problem hindering his chances. He joins another who flattered to deceive, Anders Svensson, at Swedish club Elfsborg. Interestingly, the Saints website have just deleted him from the squad before making any kind of announcement. Ouch!

Nigel Quashie
Ruled out of the mid-week game against Palace with a mystery 'stomach bug' and absent from the squad against Leicester, captain Nigel Quashie is weighing up his options with West Brom and Pompey in the frame. A week is a long time in football and Quashie has gone from hero to zero in the eyes of many fans as rumours of the move have materialised. However, with Saints aiming for promotion next season rather than this, he was unlikely to stay in the long term and should be thanked for his goals and industry at a difficult time.
4/5 Official site

Matthew Mills
Another promising product of the academy looks to be on his way against the club's wishes, with Man City's former Saint, Steve Wigley, recommending him to boss Stuart Pearce, and the player himself having turned down Saints' offer of a contract. Would be a great shame to see him move, just as he looks on the verge of breaking into the first team, but with him out of contract in the summer there is little Saints can do to keep him.
3/5 Broadsheet

Darren Powell
Reading have shown interest in the free signing from Crystal Palace, with George Burley not a fan. He has done well enough this season and has been the kind of aggressive defender that Claus Lundekvam has needed to return to form.
3/5 Broadsheet

Rory Delap
As one of the few players without the relegation 50% wage cut and being a long way from a fan's favourite, the club are waiting for offers for their £4m record signing. However, there has been little interest shown so far despite the efforts of his agent and he may have to wait until his contract expires in the summer, unless Real Madrid follow up their alleged interest.
3/5 Broadsheet

Leon Best
Offers are flying in for the academy striker, with Palace, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth all showing interest. He has fallen behind Dexter Blackstock in the pecking order, and many feel that youngster McGoldrick is a better prospect, meaning that Saints may be willing to let him go.
3/5 Broadsheet

Guide to On the Cross ratings:
0/5 Men in white coats time
1/5 Some bloke down the pub
2/5 Tabloid
3/5 Broadsheet
4/5 Official site
5/5 Holding up a shirt