Eckert made a winning start to his spell in charge of Saints with a 2-1 victory at QPR on Wednesday, and has been linked with landing the job full-time.

The 32 year old was headhunted for the under-21s by technical director Johannes Spors, who is now leading the recruitment for Will Still’s successor.

But winning boss Eckert played down the suggestion that he could use this interim spell as an audition for the managerial role on a full-time basis.

"Look, the answer is very easy on this one. My job is to prepare the game today in the best way possible,” he said at Lofus Road.

Tonda Eckert got off to a winning start in his spell as interim Saints boss. (Image: Matt Watson/Southampton)

“My job is to prepare the game on Saturday in the best way possible. That's what all my focus is on. It's going to be three very important days until Saturday. Then we can all take a breath.”

He added: “I think the only thing I can do is give energy and give a structure, and prepare them in the best...