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3 ideal January destinations for Southampton’s out of favour 33-year-old including Rangers

Three ideal destinations for Southampton star Steven Davis in January

Southampton midfielder Steven Davis has spoken to Mark Hughes about his lack of playing opportunities this season.

Davis, 33, has played just 90 minutes of first-team football this season and that came in the Carabao Cup victory over Brighton last month. He also largely appeared as a substitute in the 2017/18 season, although the midfielder’s campaign was hampered by injury.

Davis has fallen down the pecking order at Southampton this term, with all of Oriol Romeu, Stuart Armstrong, Mario Lemina, James Ward-Prowse and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg enjoying more minutes than him so far.

With Davis’ effectiveness in the Saints team dropping in the past year, here are three ideal destinations for the Northern Ireland skipper.

Rangers

A move back to Rangers could be ideal for Davis. He left Ibrox back in 2012 but could return in January with a point to prove.

Steven Gerrard is currently in charge of Rangers and assessing his team’s performances in the first few months, they have been solid but not spectacular.

Under Gerrard, the Gers signed more than a dozen players in the summer in a bid to end Celtic’s dominance in Scotland. So, a move for an experienced midfielder like Davis would certainly be welcome by Gerrard.

Stoke City

Stoke City’s problems aren’t about the results in the last month or so. It’s all about the decline that’s been going on for the last two or three years at the club.

Results have been awful as far as Stoke are concerned and Gary Rowett certainly needs time to turn the club’s fortunes around. A couple of fresh faces in January could do a world of good for Stoke and Rowett must swoop for Southampton’s Davis.

Stoke have lacked energy and dynamism in the midfield with Joe Allen and Peter Etebo struggling to match with the high intensity of Championship football. In that case, Davis, although he has turned 33, can help Stoke, as he still has a lot left in his tank.

Despite suffering relegation, Stoke have the money and the ambition to get back to the Premier League, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they manage to lure Davis to the Bet365 stadium.

Leeds United

Leeds United are making all the right noises in the Championship this term, ruling the standings and playing some breathtaking football under the charismatic Marcelo Bielsa.

Marcelo Bielsa

Bielsa’s Leeds have started this campaign in a stunning fashion but it remains to be seen how far the team continues to play with the same rhythm and intensity. Due to fatigue and injuries, the Whites would need squad depth and Bielsa could do a sensible job by persuading Davis to join his forces in January.

Read more: Why Southampton’s £18m star could be instrumental in the Saints achieving a top-10 finish this season

Davis is a quality player who possesses fantastic passing ability. He can control the game according to his own pace, which is most needed in a high-octane league like the Championship.