Southampton to send Caulker back to QPR

Southampton are set to cut short the loan of QPR defender Steven Caulker.

The Mirror says Caulker, who cost the Hoops £8million last year, has made only one Premier League start since arriving as a potential central-defensive partner to Jose Fonte.

But soon afterwards, Ron Koeman also snapped up fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk from Celtic, leaving Caulker out of contention and used only in Cup competitions.

Southampton see no point in keeping the 24-year-old ex-Tottenham and Cardiff player, other than as occasional cover.

Koeman will make his decision when the transfer window reopens on Saturday and he considers his options.