£3m man's tricky Southampton situation - Birmingham, Sheffield Utd & Stoke must be on alert | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at three Championship clubs that should look to sign Southampton's Nathan Wood this summer

Southampton, after an abysmal beginning to the campaign, have rescued their season to fire themselves into the play-off picture with seven games remaining, largely in part due to the efforts of German head coach Tonda Eckert.

Southampton, under former boss Will Still, at times, looked hopeless.

The former Reims and Lens boss couldn't quite get to grips with life at St Mary's after taking charge of the club in the summer, despite overseeing the Saints' summer transfer window.

Still persisted in switching between a back three formation and a back four formation, never settling on one, which may have proven to be his downfall.

Since taking charge, Eckert has implemented a back four shape, predominantly playing in a 4-2-3-1, with this change coinciding with a huge upturn in performances and results.

However, a casualty of this switch has been 23-year-old centre-back Nathan Wood, who, over the past couple of months, has seen his game time dwindle.

The recall of James Bree at right-back, along with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens preferred in the middle of defence, has left Wood without a place in the side.

With his future unclear, as is Southampton's, FLW has taken a look at three clubs that could look to sign the £3 million man from the Saints this summer.

Birmingham City

Birmingham City's first year back in the Championship looks set to end in disappointment, with the Blues' ambitions of breaking into the play-off places looking increasingly unlikely at this stage.

Their defence has gone through numerous changes throughout the campaign, with as many as ten different players having played across the back line for the club this season.

Phil Neumann signed on a free transfer from Hannover 96 and looked to be a real coup, but has found himself out of the fold in recent weeks, with Christopher Klarer, Jack Robinson, and Jonathan Panzo preferred in the heart of defence over him.

With Robinson now 32, Panzo only on loan, and Neumann's future in doubt, a solid long-term figure is needed alongside Klarer at the back, and Southampton's wood could be an excellent option.

With Klarer not especially quick off the mark, Wood would more than complement him, and Birmingham would likely be able to afford his fee and wages.

With Chris Davies' post as head coach uncertain, Russell Martin could be a potential candidate to replace him, and should the former Saints boss move to St Andrews, he should look to bring Wood with him, having worked with him at both Swansea City and Southampton previously.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United will likely be eager to see the back of this season, with their chances of breaking into the top six at this stage looking extremely slim.

A messy summer window, orchestrated by the ephemeral Ruben Selles, led to an abysmal start to the campaign, with the Blades defeated in each of their opening six games, leading to the Spaniard's swift departure.

Mark McGuinness, Japhet Tanganga, Ben Mee, and Tyler Bindon all joined the club over the summer, whilst Leo Hjelde joined in January, with only Tanganga and Bindon experiencing any sort of success at this stage.

Wilder previously had the likes of John Egan, Chris Basham, and Jack O'Connell at the back; his current options are a far cry from the performances those three put in over the years.

It goes without saying that defence will be a key area for improvement for the Blades over the summer, and Wood could be a good fit at Bramall Lane.

Having come through the ranks at Middlesbrough, Wood is well aware of what Yorkshire is about and what the expectations of him would be, and if the opportunity arises, both club and player should pounce at the chance to make this move happen.

Unlikely to break the bank, Wood, still only 23, could slot in alongside Tanganga with ease.

Stoke City

The final club on this list, it's fitting that each side finds themselves in a similar position at this stage of the season, with all three within just three points of each other between 11th and 17th.

Unless immaculate form from any of these teams is found, each will almost certainly be in the Championship next season, with Stoke City being no different.

Mark Robins' side looked likely to finally end their wait to finish in the top half of the table after nearly a decade this season, but those ambitions have fallen somewhat flat, as a place in the upper echelons looks increasingly unlikely.

Injuries have disrupted their campaign, with each of Bosun Lawal, Ben Wilmot, Maksym Talovierov, and Ben Gibson all spending time out of action at various points of the year.

With Ashley Phillips only on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and his future up in the air, Gibson firmly fifth choice and not getting any younger, and Wilmot's contract set to expire at the end of the season, another option could well be needed in the summer.

Stoke have an option to extend Wilmot's deal by a further year, though regardless of that, Wood may be a sensible option for the Potters.

The club will be able to spend money this summer once again following the updated regulation changes, and backed by the Coates family, won't be afraid to splash the cash.