Southampton tipped to ignore Championship allies call for retaining £3m loanee | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has tipped Southampton to fend off any summer approach from QPR to retain Ronnie Edwards.

With each passing day, Southampton fans are hearing Ronnie Edwards make more and more encouraging strides in the closing phase of the season. Now, these months have at least made the Saints realise that the club weren't wrong when they went as far as shelling out £3m for the third-division defender.

And as has been the routine, every bright loan reminds Southampton of their biggest transfer responsibility. Yes, Edwards has given some food for thought to the Saints about how to proceed with his career development.

First things first, selling Edwards immediately isn't an enticing idea when the former is soaring high on match confidence. Thus, the Saints have only two options worthwhile implementing.

Simply put, Southampton need to make up their mind about either keeping him for their Championship adventure or handing him another short-term opportunity. Talking about the latter, negotiating another loan with QPR can be a transfer possibility.

Ronnie Edwards is likely to join Southampton's summer camp

Now, taking wise opinions is often a better approach and Lee Hendrie seems to argue against the idea of Edwards donning the QPR shirt for longer.

Hinting at Edwards' preseason return to Southampton, Hendrie said to Football League World: "So, I do think that it will be a real big ask to steal that signature of Ronnie Edwards."

Well, QPR are sure to insist Southampton into giving them Edwards given their manager has often praised the Saints for boosting their defensive department. Still, Sheffield Wednesday's bittersweet experience must teach the Saints to hold their firm stance on retaining Edwards.

Else, the 21-year-old isn't miles off from repeating a Shea Charles transfer trick. Nonetheless, tempting Edwards with a first-team roster spot should work well for Southampton and let's hope it does indeed.