Tonda Eckert, Southampton’s manager, does not believe that signing another striker to replace Damion Downs is a priority.

However, he has acknowledged that the club will consider options during the current winter transfer window, according to the Southern Daily Echo.

Downs has been loaned to Bundesliga club Hamburg for the remainder of the season, just months after the Saints spent £7 million to bring the American international to St Mary’s from fellow German side FC Koln.

Tonda Eckert now has Adam Armstrong, Cameron Archer, and a returning Ross Stewart as his striker options, and he is expected to stick with those three for the rest of the season.

Tonda Eckert doesn’t need a new striker this January.

Downs’ release was not surprising, given that the 21-year-old was highly disliked by both Will Still and Tonda Eckert in the first half of the season.

Downs started just one of his 11 league games at St Mary’s and hadn’t played since suffering an unknown injury around the end of November.

Southampton had been without Scotsman Stewart for much of that time owing to a hamstring injury, from which he returned in a 4-0 loss to Middlesbrough. As a result, Eckert is pleased with his current striker core.

“We are looking, but for me, it is not necessary,” he told the Southern Daily Echo when asked if the Saints needed to reinforce at the top of the pitch in January.

“I believe we have some terrific talent in Adam Armstrong, Cam Archer, and Ross Stewart. We will look into it if something comes up that makes sense, but I am extremely pleased with the overall quality of the facility.

“I think Ross looks quite good; it’s just about how we manage his workload. We can’t have him play 90 minutes in three games a week. It doesn’t have to be that way because our building is of exceptional quality.

“It just has to be spot on. It’s critical that we make it apparent that everyone who enters the building will improve the team’s quality.”

Stewart’s comeback might be a significant boost for the Saints in 2026, if he can stay healthy for an extended length of time.

The Scottish frontman missed 31 games in his first season at the club and 27 the following season, but appeared to be putting that behind him this year, appearing in eight of the first nine Championship games, starting three straight and scoring both goals in a win at Sheffield United — Will Still’s second and final league win.

However, a hamstring injury sustained half an hour during his third consecutive start against Derby County in October sidelined him until he returned last weekend.

For a team that only has one striker under Eckert’s style, three appears to be more than enough if all three can stay healthy, and the German manager admits that all three are clearly talented.

Damion Downs’ periphery role does not need to be replaced at Southampton.

Downs wasn’t a major player in the Southampton side under Will Still, and his importance shrank even more under Tonda Eckert. Replacing him would be unnecessary due to his lack of involvement.

Southampton boast the Championship’s top scorer in Adam Armstrong, while Cam Archer and Ross Stewart are reliable back-ups who, on their day, can make an impact.

Archer has been a reliable option off the bench for the bulk of the season, and if Stewart stays healthy, he is expected to fill that role as well. As a result, adding a fourth striker does not appear to be a top priority.

That being said, if the opportunity arises to bring in someone who can hit the ground running, enhance the Saints’ side in the second half of the season, and possibly give them an outside shot at promotion, there is plenty of room to do so this January.