Southampton scout Scottish star to address Kyle Walker-Peters void | OneFootball

Southampton have included rising Scottish defender James Penrice in their shortlist to replace Kyle Walker-Peters.

We haven't reached mid-March yet Southampton have played half of their monthly scheduled games already. Keeping the suspense aside, the Saints only have to prepare for the Wolves fixture in the upcoming three weeks combined.

That's enough to give an idea of how far we have arrived in the Premier League season. That being said, it's merely a matter of months before Southampton concludes their difficult campaign at home and bids farewell to top-flight football for a while.

Unluckily, the agony doesn't end here itself. The reason being that the Premier League parting occasion would be some of the Saint's St. Mary's goodbye as well.

Honestly, there are many starters linked with a summer departure yet there's one name whose exit is almost confirmed.

That player is long-serving fullback Kyle Walker-Peters who is tipped to swap the Saints for a London return. I know neither the club nor the fans would want to lose Walker-Peters, yet Southampton must prepare for their future without him.

In this respect, the club have started their replacement mission and have begun shortlisting potential alternatives.

James Penrice lined up to replace Kyle Walker-Peters

According to a report from the Lancashire Evening Post, one of those names is of 26-year-old ace James Penrice. Unlike other defensive candidates like Andre Garcia, Penrice isn't any teenage wonderkid who will need some development and first team experience with Southampton's U21 team.

As a result, the Hearts mainstay could be assigned the left back duties without needing much guidance. The only hindrance Penrice could face is that he has never tasted English football before.

Hence, he might have a hard time while adapting to the physical demands of the Championship. Regardless, if Penrice develops a good learning curve, then he wouldn't be far from becoming a success at Southampton.

Apart from that, let's see whether the club will move forward with their James Penrice transfer interest in the first place or not.